Bishop Teodosije visits wounded Serbs in Pec Hospital

KiM Info Newsletter 21-09-06

KIM Info Service, Pec, September 20, 2006

Today Vicar Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan was escorted by Italian KFOR to Pec Hospital to visit the four Serbs who were wounded in yesterday's bomb attack on their apartment in Klina.

Bishop Teodosije and several Decani monks stayed for an hour speaking with the wounded Milorad Pavlovic, his wife Rada, mother Jela, and cousin Dragica Raicevic. Pavlovic told the Bishop that last night at about 7:30 p.m. the four of them were in their apartment in Klina when an explosive device was thrown in through the window. They heard a strong explosion and all four sustained injuries of various degrees from shrapnel and broken glass. The wounded were then transferred to Pec Hospital where they received emergency medical assistance.

Rada Pavlovic sustained a more serious injury to the right eye while Milorad's mother, Jela, sustained injuries to the head and face, which is seriously swollen. All the wounded are in stable condition and reassured the Bishop that the hospital staff were treating them appropriately and professionally.

During Bishop Teodosije's stay with the patients they also received visits from the mayor of Klina as well as representatives of the Kosovo Police, UNMIK and OSCE. According to this morning's edition of Kosovo media they were also visited last night by officials of the Kosovo government.

After visiting the wounded Bishop Teodosije spoke briefly with surgeons who told him that the wounded are not in life-threatening danger and that they as physicians and the rest of the staff would do everything possible for their wounds to heal. The Bishop thanked the doctors for their help and the treatment given to the wounded.

It is the opinion of the doctors that the wounded will be kept for hospital treatment because in addition to their physical injuries they are still in a state of shock. After additional diagnosis Rada Pavlovic may be transferred to another hospital for a minor surgical procedure on her eye. If the recovery of the wounded proceeds successfully, they may soon be released for home treatment. The physicians stated they are completely willing to respect the wishes of the injured as to whether they wish to undergo treatment in Pec or be transferred to another facility.

According to a statement by a representative of Kosovo police members of an Italian KFOR ballistics team are analyzing the type of explosive device. At the same time an investigation has been launched into this incident, which has caused great unrest among Serb returnees to Klina as well as among the remaining Serbs in Metohija.

Milorad Pavlovic reassured Bishop Teodosije that despite this attack he and his family are determined to stay in Klina because that is their home. Upon leaving the hospital Bishop Teodosije stated for the press that he hopes that the perpetrators of this cowardly act against elderly and unprotected persons will be brought to justice, and that all citizens, especially Serb returnees whose safety is endangered, will be provided with a peaceful and free life.

At the end of the visit Bishop Teodosije gave the wounded small icons and ensured that they would be provided with clothes and everything else necessary during their stay in the hospital. As in the past the Serbian Orthodox Church will continue to assist Serb returnees to Metohija and other parts of the Province.