The incident that occurred on Friday at the main promenade in North Mitrovica has sharply divided public opinion. While officials in Pristina praised the “professionalism of the police,” emphasizing that their actions aimed to de-escalate tensions, authorities in Belgrade, local politicians and NGOs from the north, as well as the head of EULEX, strongly condemned the conduct of one police officer, accusing him of using excessive force against a high school graduate.
Following these reactions—and Serbia’s Interior Ministry issuing a warrant for the officer’s arrest—Albanian social media users launched a wave of coordinated support posts, sharing the officer’s photo accompanied by the message: “Only Albanian Language.” The officer himself addressed the public today, stating: “Now more than ever, I am determined to continue serving with integrity, dedication, and honor.”
Albanian Media: A Worthy Officer, A Brave Intervention, And Only Albanian
“Mitrovica is proud of Dilot Brahimi—a symbol of dedication and professionalism,” begins a glowing article published by Mitropol, a media outlet based in South Mitrovica.
“In a time when accountability and professionalism are more necessary than ever, Dilot Brahimi serves as an inspiration,” the article continues.
The text describes Brahimi as “a person known for his composure and respectful behavior,” and “a symbol of integrity.”
“He has served in the north for some time now, where the job demands patience, calm, and resolve—all qualities that Dilot embodies with dignity. Mitrovica has every reason to be proud of a man like him,” the article concludes.
While many—including the head of EULEX—have criticized the officer for excessive force against the student, certain media outlets and numerous Albanian social media users have been sharing video clips of the incident since Friday, commending his response.
“The moment when Dilot Brahimi bravely intervened after an incident with Serbian high school students echoes throughout the country,” Radio Dukagjini wrote in the caption to one widely shared video.
Another video circulating online shows a previous encounter between officer Brahimi and activists from the Serbian Democracy group in front of the North Mitrovica police station. The video captures Brahimi telling Aleksandar Arsenijević: “I don’t speak Serbian, only Albanian.”
This statement, now widely quoted, has made its way across several Albanian-language platforms including Jepi zë, Mitropol, Gazeta Imazhi, and Indeksonline. Many users have since shared the video snippet, praising the officer for what they perceive as a strong nationalist stance.
One Facebook user posted: “I don’t speak Serbian, only Albanian. Kosovo – honor and duty,” alongside a photo of the officer against a backdrop bearing the UÇK insignia.
Another wrote: “He never filed a report in the language of the oppressor. He spoke from the heart—in Albanian.”
Officer Speaks Out: “Determined to Serve with Honor”
Kosovo media outlets today reported on the officer’s public statement, issued after Serbia’s Ministry of Interior released a warrant for his arrest. In his statement, Brahimi expressed resolve and gratitude:
“Today, more than ever, I am determined to continue serving with integrity, dedication, and honor—to work wholeheartedly for a just and transparent police force that is always close to the people,” he said, as quoted by Klan Kosova.
He also thanked colleagues and citizens who have supported him.
The officer went on to describe police work as a calling rather than a profession.
“It is a responsibility we carry with honor and resolve, defending the order, safety, and dignity of our citizens. But this path is never easy—it comes with great challenges, many sacrifices, and moments that test even the strongest among us,” Brahimi wrote.
Dačić: “No Expectation of Action from Kosovo Police”
Serbia’s Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said that the warrant for the officer’s arrest will remain in force “from now on, with no statute of limitations.”
Speaking on TV Prva, Dačić stated the officer would be arrested “when available to Serbian police,” and described the incident as “a brutal assault on a child.”
He added that there was no justification for such a reaction and expressed doubt that Kosovo police would open an internal investigation.
“Warrant Encouraged Threats”?
Following the arrest warrant, Mitropol reported that various individuals and groups had begun threatening members of the Kosovo Police. According to the outlet, Kosovo Police released a statement saying threats were made against officer A.B. in Serbian on social media platforms.
Mitropol published the officer’s full name and photo, along with screenshots of the alleged threats, some of which called for his killing. The same content was also published by Ditori.com.
What Happened on the North Mitrovica Promenade?
The altercation took place during a traditional graduation parade in North Mitrovica, where students marched through the town accompanied by brass bands. Tensions reportedly rose when a guest at a local café—owned by an ethnic Albanian—made a hand gesture resembling the double-headed eagle, a symbol often associated with Albanian nationalism.
According to students who spoke to KoSSev, they responded by showing their middle fingers. Police then intervened, and video footage circulating on social media shows an officer grabbing a student by the neck, telling him in Albanian to stop provoking. A brief scuffle ensued between students and police officers.
While some viewers interpreted the red marks on the student’s neck as signs of injury, it was later clarified that the students had painted themselves with red markers as part of their celebration.
The incident drew sharp criticism from a range of actors—including EULEX representatives, northern Kosovo politicians, Serbian officials, and NGOs—who accused Kosovo Police of using excessive force.
In contrast, the Kosovo Police in the North defended their response, stating their officers acted appropriately to de-escalate a potentially volatile situation. They argued that the students had been heckling café guests and were asked politely to stop.
Minister Sveçla echoed this account, praising the officers’ conduct and accusing the students of provoking tensions with chants like “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia.”
He posted a video showing young people waving Serbian flags and singing “Vidovdan,” a folk song with strong national and religious connotations—but did not include footage of the incident itself, or the café guest showing the double-headed eagle.
Sveçla also emphasized yesterday that Serbian media and political actors are trying to use the recent incident in North Mitrovica for propaganda purposes, portraying a police warning as an act of violence.
Read more:
Sveçla Accuses Serbian Media of Spreading Propaganda Over Mitrovica Incident
Kosovo Police Deny Reports of Protests and Escalation During Graduation Parade in North Mitrovica
Serb NGOs Condemn Police Conduct During Graduation Celebration
Why Did a Police Officer Grab a Graduate by the Neck in North Mitrovica?
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
