Djokovic stirs controversy with message about Kosovo clashes at French Open
💬 “As a son of a man born in Kosovo, I feel the need to give my support to our people and to the entire Serbia.” + "My stance is clear: I am against wars, violence and any kind of conflict, as I’ve always stated publicly. I empathise with all people, but the situation with Kosovo is a precedent in international law."
Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic brought the political controversy and communal tensions in his nation into the limelight at the French Open yesterday following his first-round victory. The tense situation developed after ethnic Albanian mayors took office in northern Kosovo's Serb majority area after elections the Serbs had boycotted. ● In Zvecan, one of the towns, Kosovo police - staffed by ethnic Albanians after Serbs quit the force last year - sprayed pepper gas to repel a crowd of Serbs who broke through a security barricade and tried to force their way into the municipality building, witnesses said. Serb protesters in Zvecan threw tear gas and stun grenades at NATO soldiers. Serbs also clashed with police in Zvecan and spray-painted NATO vehicles with the letter "Z", referring to a Russian sign used in war in Ukraine. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia and its traditional ally Russia do not recognise Kosovo’s independence, and Moscow has blocked the country’s bid to become a member of the United Nations.
■ Vučić for CNN: Serbs have been shot at five times; "People determined to fight" (b92) + VIDEO