Kosovo authorities expell Abbot, a North Macedonia national

A press release by the SPC Raska-Prizren Diocese protested the deportation of Abbot Fotije from Kosovo without explantion. It said that the abbot was a citizen of North Macedonia who had been granted residence in Kosovo and has resided in the monastery since 2009 when he was made abbot.

“In compliance with Kosovo laws, Father Fotije, a citizen of North Macedonia, like other clergymen of our diocese who still do not have Kosovo documents, has applied annually for a residence permit over the last five years. He regularly and without any issues received extensions of his residence permit,” it said.

The press release added that Abbot Fotije reported to the Department for Foreigners in Pristina on Friday to have his residency extended for the next 5 years but that he was told that his request was denied and he was taken into custody by the police and driven to the border with North Macedonia. The press release said he was not allowed to get his personal effects from the monastery and that he has been banned from entering Kosovo for 5 years.

It said that the abbot had residence in Kosovo until November 11 but that he was told that this had been revoked. He was handed a document which cited “reasons of national security” and forced to sign it, the press release said, adding that OSCE officials were present and that an EULEX official arrived later.