UPDATE: The Kosovo Police confirmed to KoSSev that they have detained both individuals suspected in tonight’s incident, stating that the two men are from South Mitrovica.
A 16-year-old girl from Mali Zvecan was allegedly the target of an attempted abduction on Friday evening but managed to escape thanks to her quick thinking — and the timely arrival of a family friend. Police have since confirmed that one suspect has been detained and another identified.
The girl told KoSSev that two unknown men in a grey Golf 7 with Kosovo license plates repeatedly tried to persuade her to get into their car while she was walking from Mali Zvecan toward the town shortly before 6 p.m.
According to her account, the men first slowed down near her and asked her to take a photo.
“I refused, but one of them gave me his phone and told me to do it anyway,” the teenager said.
She explained that when she initially ignored them and kept walking, the men blocked her path. At that point, the passenger got out, pressed her against the car, and forced her to take a photo of him.
“He gave me the phone, I took the picture and ran,” she recounted.
The girl said the men then followed her in their vehicle, calling on her to get in and assuring her they “just wanted to help her get to town faster.”
At that moment, a friend of her father happened to drive by. He reportedly told her to get into his car for safety. However, the suspects allegedly turned around and continued following them.
When the girl reached her mother and younger brother, she began recording the men with her phone.
“They demanded that we move our car so they could pass. My mom tried to take their car key so they couldn’t drive off, but they refused,” she said.
She added that the driver appeared intoxicated.
“He said he didn’t want trouble and just wanted to leave, but when he got back in the car, he suddenly accelerated toward us — me, my mom, and my little brother,” the girl explained, adding that the passenger then grabbed a rock, apparently to throw it at them, but stopped when he realized she was filming.
The men reportedly left the scene only after learning that the police had been called.
The girl said that the suspects spoke Serbian “with a strong Albanian accent.”
Police confirm incident
Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the Mitrovica North region, Veton Elshani, confirmed for KoSSev that the police are investigating what they suspect to be an attempted abduction.
“We confirm that the case occurred — suspected attempted kidnapping. We are working on identifying the suspects and bringing them in. There is no reason for concern,” Elshani said.
He confirmed that an operational plan introduced in May to prevent sexual harassment in northern Mitrovica remains in effect, including patrols equipped with body cameras. However, Elshani noted that this incident took place in a remote area where such patrols were not present at the time.
Update: One suspect detained, another identified
Kosovo Police have just confirmed to KoSSev that one suspect has been detained in connection with the incident in Mali Zvecan, while a second man has been identified and is expected to be apprehended soon. The information was confirmed by Petrit Fejza, Chief of Operations for the northern region.
He said that preliminary investigation indicates the detained man attempted to coerce the teenager into entering his car.
The operational plan against sexual harassment, in place since May in northern Mitrovica, remains active, with officers equipped with body cameras patrolling several streets. However, police confirmed that this incident occurred in a more isolated location where such patrols were not deployed at the time.
Editor’s note: The girl’s statement and video recordings were published with her and her parents’ consent. Her statement was taken in the presence of both parents, at their request.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
