Oliver Ivanovic Buried in Belgrade While Special Talks Normalize Relations Between Serbia and Kosovo
Serbia and Kosovo agreed to continue the dialogue on the normalization of relations, despite the murder of Ivanović. Presidents Alexander Vučić and Hashim Thaci came to this decision during a telephone conversation. And today, Oliver Ivanović was buried in Belgrade.
Our special correspondent Anastasia Yefimova attended the politician’s funeral.
The line begins even beyond the cemetery gate. Thousands of people came to pay tribute to memory and respect to Oliver Ivanović. It was his family’s request to make the mourning ceremony open. The murdered politician’s relatives wanted to do without formalities and protocol. The main thing is that everyone was able to say goodbye to Ivanović here in Belgrade, just like in Mitrovica the day before.
"The shot at Ivanovic is a shot at the whole people." These are the words of the Patriarch of Serbia Irinej, which almost everyone who came here today is ready to repeat. And they’re ready to add: "Today, we all are Oliver".
Tania Petrović, Oliver Ivanović’s family friend: "We lost our father, brother, teacher, friend, who radiated courage and optimism, who dedicated his friendship and devotion to Serbia and the Serbs in Kosovo, and, in the end, his life. He gave his strength and optimism to all of us: the family, Serbia, to everyone. We all are Oliver".
There’s no news from Pristina, which, having prohibited Belgrade to participate in the investigation, secured the monopoly on the investigation. Neither versions nor suspects. Although the search for those who were disturbed by the killed politician, obviously, should start in Kosovo, where Ivanović's active and intransigent position on protecting the Serbian population was uncomfortable for many. The autonomy’s authorities, mostly Albanians and those who are behind them, didn’t like it either. The fact that the region's leaders are absolutely not independent in the decision making is hardly a secret.
Vladimir Krshlyanin, the International Slavic Academy’s Serbian Department Head: "These are, first of all, certain circles of American and British politics, which invested a lot in the creation of such a criminal state in Kosovo. Of course, they’re connected with the Kosovo drug mafia. They’re afraid of losing the source of profit, the source of their influence. And they’re trying to somehow hide from the International Justice, which can also come into force".
The International Justice is a special tribunal for the crimes of militants of the former Liberation Army of Kosovo. Almost the entire leadership of the autonomy are among the suspects, from the head of parliament to the prime minister. The court was to begin work in the near future. This high-profile murder can be an attempt to ruin the game and shift the accents.
Nikola Tanasić, journalist: "In the long run, this is a major problem for Kosovo Serbs. If they begin to kill the most honest, most authoritative, most educated, most respected people who aren’t exactly connected with criminal circles, aren’t connected with terrorists, aren’t connected with problems, with the shadow economy, then there’s a feeling that there’s no life for normal people".
It was with this, the attempt to intimidate the Serbian population of the autonomy, that Oliver Ivanović fought. As it’s now clear that it was at the cost of his own life.
The politician was buried in the Alley of Worthy Citizens of the New Cemetery of the Serbian capital.
Anastasia Yefimova, Alexander Peshkov, Olga Khodinova, Vesti, Belgrade, Serbia.