SERB CHURCH IN KOSOVO PLUNDERED, DESECRATED
BBC Monitoring International Reports - August 6, 2006 Sunday

Text of report by Serbian independent news agency FoNet

Belgrade, 6 August: Unknown perpetrators have broken into, plundered and desecrated the Church of the Holy Mother of God (Presveta Bogorodica) in the Serb village of Babin Most near Obilic, the Rasko-Prizren Eparchy has said.

The thieves broke in last night at around midnight [2200 gmt] after smashing the bars and the windows on the rear side of the church where the priest's home is also situated.

The St Stefan fresco was taken from the church along with 50,000 dinars in donations, the priests' habits and ritual objects, while some ten frescoes and icons were destroyed and found smashed on the floor.

The Kosovo Police Service [KSP] carried out on-the-spot checks and began their investigation, although no details have been made public.

The Church of the Holy Mother of God was built in the 14th century and is one of the oldest Serb churches in central Kosovo-Metohija.

Source: FoNet news agency, Belgrade, in Serbian 1457 gmt 6 Aug 06

Copyright 2006 Financial Times Information
Copyright 2006 BBC Monitoring/BBC Source: Financial Times Information Limited

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