Two Kosovo police officers, who were suspended in late October following recommendations from the Kosovo Police Inspectorate over their involvement in the mistreatment of North Mitrovica resident Miloš Subotić, have been reinstated to their duties. The decision was confirmed to KoSSev by Veton Elshani, Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the North.
„Yes, they were returned to work today. According to KPI, there is no reason for their suspension,“ Elshani stated.
While confirming that the recommendation for their suspension came from KPI, Elshani was unable to provide details on the current status of the case within the inspectorate, including what investigations have been carried out or the basis on which the officers were cleared to return to work.
„I am not familiar with what KPI has done, but the Police Station in Pristina has reinstated them. This likely means that, according to KPI, they no longer pose a risk or could influence the case,“ Elshani explained, though he could not confirm whether KPI’s investigation was still ongoing.
KoSSev has also reached out to KPI for clarification and additional information regarding the case, and expects a response shortly.
The officers were initially suspended in connection with an incident on October 26, in which Subotić was allegedly mistreated by police officers in North Mitrovica.
The KPI’s recommendation to suspend the officers was aimed at protecting the integrity of the investigation.
The incident began when Subotić, a resident of North Mitrovica, was detained late at night near the Ibar River bridge after moving bags on a public space near a newly opened store.
Following his detention, Subotić claimed he was taken to a room without cameras, where officers—who allegedly had their badge numbers covered—beat him. He was later released with a fine for an alleged offense.
Kosovo police denied the allegations, stating that Subotić had engaged in vandalism, insulted the officers, and refused to obey their commands. However, the KPI initiated an investigation the same day into potential police misconduct.
The incident sparked strong reactions, mostly from Serbian organizations and the Kosovo Ombudsperson’s deputy.
The five leading civil society organizations from northern Kosovo condemned the „illegal detention and beating“ of Subotić, with some even suspending their cooperation with EULEX in protest of the police actions.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
