Arrest of Serbian Democratic Leaders in Northern Mitrovica Sparks Protests and Tensions

Aleksandar Arsenijević and Stefan Veljković, leaders of the Serbian Democratic Party, were arrested today at Braća Milić Square in Northern Mitrovica. The arrest took place near the main bridge as they attempted to prevent the repainting of Serbian tricolor flags. They were released shortly thereafter following protests from a large group of Northern Mitrovica residents and a sharp rise in tensions.

While the Serbian side accuses the Kosovo Police of exceeding their authority on multiple grounds, the police claim that contracted workers were removing „hate graffiti“ and that Arsenijević and Veljković were obstructing official duties. Kossev was informed that a report on the entire incident will be prepared for the Mitrovica police region.

Efforts by Kosovo authorities to reopen the main bridge over the Ibar River for traffic after 25 years are currently underway. However, the Quint countries, the European Union, and KFOR disagree with this move at this stage, emphasizing that the issue should be resolved through the Brussels dialogue.

Despite separate statements from the Kosovo government and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who have pledged to continue consultations and coordination with Western partners regarding this matter, visible actions by Kurti’s government indicate a push to open the bridge as soon as possible.

Today, four heavy-duty trucks tested the bridge’s load-bearing capacity from the southern side, with a report expected in Pristina in the coming days.

Kosovo ministers, particularly Xhelal Sveçla and Elbert Krasniqi, have been inspecting the bridge. While Krasniqi appeared unfamiliar with the technical details, Sveçla demonstrated his knowledge by personally inspecting the bridge’s railing.

In support of the Pristina government, the Municipality of Northern Mitrovica held a public discussion on multi-ethnic cooperation today. The event, attended by many media representatives, was officially aimed at promoting collaboration between municipal safety committees and civil society institutions. Essentially, the meeting was promoted as an initiative for the complete reopening of the bridge. Arsenijević and Veljković were arrested just before the start of the meeting.

What Happened?

The bridge reopening preparations included repainting efforts. Workers from the company „Arbotec“ were seen repainting the bridge’s pillars yesterday, covering multi-ethnic graffiti that had previously adorned them, following a joint initiative by several civic organizations from both the north and south of Mitrovica.

Today, the workers moved to the northern side of the square, repainting a significant portion of the Serbian tricolor flag and large graffiti messages, including “Protect both your enemies and pray for them, for they do not know what they do,” and “Think good, and it will be good.” They also painted over two „Northern Brigade“ stamps on the perimeter where graffiti was located.

The square where these activities took place is located between the newly opened café „C’est la vie,“ formerly Dolce Vita, bought by Ekrem Peci, which has become a popular spot for Self-Determination officials.

The café has been visited for three consecutive days by ministers Xhelal Sveçla and Elbert Krasniqi. Krasniqi was present today with the Mayor of Northern Mitrovica and other central government representatives following the public debate at the municipal hall.

Arsenijević and Veljković approached the workers today, questioning their identities and their purpose in repainting the Serbian flag.

In a video posted by Veljković, a third individual was seen kicking a paint can near them. The worker did not respond to questions, and soon a group of men from the café’s garden, also recording and dressed in civilian clothing, appeared. Among them was Ekrem Peci.

When members of the Serbian Democratic Party asked the workers multiple questions—such as their identities and who had sent them—the workers initially did not respond. When Arsenijević and Veljković asked if they planned to „clean up the cans and debris they had created,” the workers complied. The leaders then stated that they would follow up and find out who was funding them, adding that they were “at the wrong place today.”

Questions about the workers’ identities then shifted to a group of men who had previously left the café’s garden.

The workers returned, and Veljković remarked that they were at the wrong location and questioned whether they knew that Serbs were an „equal nation.“

“You can’t do this. According to the Kosovo Constitution, we have the right to our flag, as per the Law on National Symbols,” Veljković said.

The conversation then shifted to Ekrem Peci. When asked if he knew that the garden he managed was illegal, Peci responded to Veljković with a curse, telling him to “mind his own business.” Another man from the group approached and stated that the garden was not illegal. The workers then retreated to the café’s garden.

Arsenijević and Veljković approached uniformed police officers standing across the street, asking why they had not stopped the workers from repainting the Serbian flag.

The officers moved away from their position, refusing to engage in conversation.

The workers returned to continue their work under police protection, prompting the Serbian Democratic Party to comment that the officer was allegedly „refusing to cooperate with the citizens,“ while, reportedly, the workers were instructed to obtain more paint to continue their tasks.

The officer providing security reportedly pushed Veljković at one point, while Arsenijević continued to complain about the violation of his ethnic rights, and Veljković continued with the video broadcast. A man in plain clothes then approached and stated that the workers had permission from the Municipality of Northern Mitrovica to continue their work and that the party activists needed to move.

“Feel free to arrest us,” Veljković responded, indicating that they were ready for arrest if it came to that.

“We’re being pushed by the police now. You can shoot us; we’ve raised our hands. Shoot,” they said before whistles from multiple sources were heard. The video, which had become unstable due to the commotion, then abruptly ended.

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The Kosovo Police openly lied when it reported to the public that we were protesting the painting over of „Severna Brigada“ graffiti. This claim, promptly repeated by the LVV Spokesperson is a futile attempt to cover up for their gross violation of the Constitution and… pic.twitter.com/7afDiEg9In

— Aleksandar Arsenijević (@Aco_Sfens) August 8, 2024

However, the continuation of the incident was later posted on the Mitropol Facebook page. The group seen overpowering Arsenijević included both uniformed police and individuals in olive-green clothing.

Police Response and Arrests

Veljković and Arsenijević were later arrested and taken to the police station in South Mitrovica. Veton Elshani, Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police, informed KoSSev that the arrests were made for „obstructing official duties“ and confirmed that he had ordered their arrest, and transport to South Mitrovica due to a „security risk assessment.“

„I wanted to avoid a potential security risk from an unauthorized gathering around the police station,“ Elshani explained.

However, around 200 people gathered near the police station in Northern Mitrovica, demanding the immediate release of the detainees. Among the crowd were officials from the Srpska Lista and other political activists from the north, including former judge Nikola Kabašić, who had earlier spoken at a rally at the same square where the arrests occurred.

Kosovo Serbian civic organizations condemned the „excessive use of force“ and the „police’s overreach“, while the Office for Kosovo and Metohija criticized the arrests, claiming that „Kurti will continue to arrest until the last Serb.“

Elshani later addressed the public in front of the Northern Mitrovica police station, assuring that the two politicians would be released through regular procedures.

In a separate statement, the Kosovo Police confirmed the release and defended the arrests as necessary for „calming the situation.“

Regarding the workers, the police stated that they were „removing graffiti with nationalist messages that incite hatred, such as ‘Northern Brigade’ etc.“

They claimed that Arsenijević and Veljković were repeatedly warned to cease obstructing the work but continued to „interfere and prevent the completion of the tasks, escalating tensions.“

Protests and Accusations

After their release, Arsenijević and Veljković were greeted with applause from local residents at the Northern Mitrovica police station as they carried the Serbian flag.

The group then proceeded to walk towards Cara Lazara Square, about 200 meters from the arrest location. They described the public’s support as „encouragement to continue fighting“ and leveled severe accusations against the Kosovo Police.

They reiterated that their ethnic rights to use their flag and cultural symbols had been violated, and claimed that the Kosovo Police failed in their duties. They alleged that they did not know who arrested them, that they were handcuffed throughout, and that they were allegedly not allowed to contact their lawyer immediately after their arrest.

Deputy Commander Elshani later confirmed that police officers in both uniforms and civilian clothing had carried out the arrests in the northern part of Mitrovica. He acknowledged that civilian officers are required to identify themselves but assured that the entire incident, including the actions of all involved, is under investigation.