A new case of sexual harassment has been reported to the Kosovo Police in North Mitrovica today, marking the latest in a string of similar incidents increasingly drawing public concern.
Local resident M.L. told KoSSev that she experienced verbal sexual harassment in broad daylight at approximately 12:30 p.m. while walking down Sutjeska Street. According to her account, a man of Albanian ethnicity driving a Golf 7 with Mitrovica-region license plates (02) made sexually explicit comments from his vehicle.
„Today I had a deeply unpleasant experience. In the middle of the day, a man called out to me from his car with disgusting, sexist remarks. I immediately reported the case to the police,“ she said.
M.L. stated that police have since identified the man responsible, though she remains uncertain about what legal steps will follow. She called on other women and girls who experience similar incidents to report them to the authorities.
„I want to urge everyone to report these cases. This needs to stop,“ she said.
Police Confirm Ongoing Investigation
Petrit Fejza, Chief of Operations for the North Region of the Kosovo Police, confirmed the report to KoSSev, stating that the case is being treated as sexual harassment.
„A young woman reported that a man made inappropriate comments to her. We’ve taken her statement,“ Fejza said.
He confirmed that the suspect has been identified through license plate information and that police are now investigating. „He will be brought in for questioning. After that, the prosecutor will decide on further steps,“ he added.
Pattern of Harassment and Growing Concern
This is not an isolated incident. Multiple similar reports have been made in recent weeks, almost all involving Serb women or girls who say they were allegedly harassed by Albanian men, often from the southern part of Mitrovica.
Earlier this month, a woman named K.M. reported that she and a friend were verbally harassed by men in a car. A few days later, a minor reported being subjected to sexist remarks near the Heb’s café promenade.
These reports have been echoed by testimonies collected by civil society groups, NGO reports, and public appeals by political leaders, all indicating reportedly a growing pattern of street harassment in North Mitrovica.
Civil Society Pushback and Appeal to the Ombudsman
In addition to earlier public criticism of the Kosovo Police’s response, five leading civil society organizations from the north – CASA, NSI, InTER, ACDC, and Aktiv – sent an official letter this morning to Kosovo Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj.
The organizations are seeking clarification regarding Qelaj’s recent remarks on the investigative television program Kallxo Përnime, in which he suggested that, in the absence of officially filed complaints, accusations of sexual harassment could be part of an attempt by “certain groups” to damage the reputation of the Kosovo Police.
In their letter, the organizations expressed deep concern over the implications of such statements. They warned that framing unreported cases as politically motivated risks silencing victims, discouraging future reports, and undermining trust in institutions tasked with protecting citizens.
Community Organizing: “Neighborhood Watch” Initiative Announced
Reacting to the growing number of incidents, Aleksandar Arsenijević, leader of the Serbian Democracy political group, announced the launch of a local “Neighborhood Watch” initiative in North Mitrovica. The civic action is aimed at monitoring and reporting suspicious activity with the stated goal of protecting women and children.
According to some media reports, these patrols have already begun operating in certain areas of the town by the end of this week.
Institutional Tensions and Civil Society Concerns
Tensions over how institutions are handling the issue continue to escalate. Some commentators in Pristina have accused northern NGOs of waging a “hybrid war” aimed at delegitimizing Kosovo’s institutions—a claim strongly rejected by the organizations, which have called on the international community to ensure institutional accountability and victim protection.
A grassroots women’s group has so far collected around 30 testimonies of harassment in 2024. Earlier, 415 women from North Kosovo signed a petition requesting protection from KFOR. Some reports have even pointed to alleged involvement of police officers in certain harassment cases.
The NGO Aktiv has launched a dedicated hotline for victims of harassment, through which several testimonies have been collected and reported to the Kosovo Police Inspectorate.
As new incidents continue to surface and institutional responses remain under scrutiny, public calls for transparent investigations, community safety, and support for victims are growing louder across North Mitrovica.
Leading K-Serb CSOs Demand Clarification from Ombudsman on Sexual Harassment Allegations
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