BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) – Serbian authorities have banned a former Kosovo president from entering the country to participate in an event designed to boost dialogue between the former war foes, Atifete Jahjaga and a rights group said Friday.
Jahjaga was to attend the presentation in Belgrade, the Serbian capital, later Friday of a book containing testimonies from women tortured and raped during the 1998-99 Kosovo war.
Jahjaga said on her Facebook page that, although her visit was announced in advance, “my entrance to Serbia was made impossible based on an absurd reasoning.” She didn’t elaborate.
The Youth Initiative for Human Rights group said she will address the gathering via video link.
Serbian nationalists have protested against a festival in Belgrade organized by liberal groups from Serbia and Kosovo – a former province that declared independence in 2008 against Serbia’s will.