The Raška-Prizren Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church has filed a formal complaint with the Kosovo police over the desecration of the 14th-century Church of St. Archangel Michael in the village of Rakitnica, near the town of Podujevo. The complaint names Albanian citizen Nikola Dzhufka and several unidentified individuals who allegedly broke into the church, damaging its doors in the process.

According to an official statement from the Diocese, the incident took place on May 18, 2025, when Dzhufka entered the church with the intent of performing a religious ceremony. He referred to the church as the "Monastery of St. Alban." This is not the first time Dzhufka has attempted to take control of the church: in November 2023, he, along with a group of schismatics, tried to seize the building for a similar ceremony.

The Diocese’s statement also noted that Dzhufka falsely claims to be a priest of the non-canonical "Albanian National Orthodox Church." The canonical Albanian Orthodox Church has publicly clarified that Dzhufka is not a member of its clergy.

This is the latest in a series of incidents involving religious tensions in the region. The Raška-Prizren Diocese previously filed complaints with both the Kosovo police and prosecutor's office over similar actions, but a lower court in Pristina dismissed the charges. The case is currently under appeal. Despite the serious nature of the accusations, the Diocese noted that it has not been allowed to participate in the legal proceedings as a harmed party.

In its statement, the Diocese called on international bodies, including EULEX and the OSCE, to closely monitor the situation and ensure the protection of Kosovo’s historical and religious heritage from vandalism and unlawful actions.

The desecration of the Church of St. Archangel Michael highlights ongoing concerns over religious freedoms and the protection of cultural heritage sites in Kosovo, a region still grappling with deep political and ethnic divisions.