17.33 – After the arrests, a small group, including political allies, citizens, and civil activists, gathered outside the police station in North Mitrovica to demand the politicians’ release. The protesters also condemned the arrest of the young men in North Mitrovica the previous night for allegedly insulting and attacking two police officers.
Several hours after they were detained, Arsenijević and Orlović were transferred by police vehicle to a station in North Mitrovica, where they were fined for disturbing public order and then released.
In a subsequent media address, Arsenijević labeled last night’s arrests and today’s detainments as „police repression.“
He urged the public to continue resisting peacefully, saying, „We appeal for the release of the young men… We will continue with silent resistance and passive civil disobedience.“
15.33 – The political landscape in North Mitrovica saw heightened tensions today as key figures from the Serbian Democratic Party (Srpska Demokratija) were detained by Kosovo police during a visit by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to the region.
Aleksandar Arsenijević, leader of Srpska Demokratija, was detained on Mitrovica’s promenade, according to a statement from Petrit Fejza, a representative of the Kosovo Police in the Northern region.
While the exact reason for Arsenijević’s arrest remains unclear, it is suspected to be connected to Kurti’s visit to the predominantly Serb-populated northern part of Mitrovica.
At the time of the arrest, Kurti was dining at a newly opened fast-food restaurant in the area, accompanied by Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, and Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi.
The deputy leader of Srpska Demokratija, Ivan Orlović, was also detained for disturbing public order.
It is presumed that plainclothes officials blocked the group Orlović was with from passing through a pedestrian zone. In a live video Orlović shared, he responded by whistling.
A plainclothes officer then approached him, pointed a finger, and warned, „This is your last time.“ When Orlović asked, „Or what?“ the officer replied, „I will only say this once.“
After Orlović whistled again, the officer moved towards him, leading to a confrontation. Sounds of hitting and rushing into a nearby entrance were heard before the video cut off.
Veton Elshani, the deputy commander of the Kosovo Police for the North, confirmed the detainment and added that both Orlović and Arsenijević would likely be released soon but face fines for their disruption of public order.
The visit came amidst tight security, with the city center heavily patrolled by Kosovo Police, including special units and armored vehicles.
Kurti and his delegation than proceeded toward the Bosniak Mahala. Previously, in a short media address, Kosovo PM announced plans to construct a park near a former Serbian government building in this settlement.
The prime minister then held a meeting with the mayor of North Mitrovica, Erden Atić, in the municipal building.
Kurti’s delegation previously visited the town of Lešak, where Kurti and his ministers laid the cornerstone for the construction of a new Kosovo Police substation.
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