The Kosovo Police confirmed there have been a series of attacks against the Kosovo police forces in the north of Kosovo in the last three days. The Kosovo Minister of Interior, Xhelal Svecla, and the head of the Kosovo Police, Samedin Mehmeti, held an extraordinary press conference in Pristina concerning these incidents. Mehmeti alleged the attacks came from Serbian territory. The same claim was subsequently made by the Kosovo presidency and the Kosovo prime minister. Albin Kurti also called on Serbia to “distance itself from the violent terrorist attacks” on the police.
In response, the head of the Kosovo Office within the Serbian government, Petar Petkovic, called on Pristina to refrain from „irresponsible speculation because it could jeopardize stability on the ground.“
The US ambassador to Kosovo and the EU also reacted, condemning the incidents in the north, and calling on the sides to avoid „unnecessary speculation“.
What happened?
A series of attacks against the Kosovo police took place in the north of Kosovo in the last threedays, the KP officially confirmed.
The KP revealed that the attacks began on April 13th, when metal spikes were installed on the road used by the police, after which a police car was stoned.
As the Kosovo Minister of Interior, Xhelal Svecla, confirmed today at an extraordinary press
conference in Pristina, another attack on the police took place last night, during which gunshots were reportedly fired at police members.
The latest incident broke out this morning at 7.40 am when a hail of bullets and a hand grenade were thrown at police vehicles on their way to change border shifts.
Pristina launches accusations against Serbia At this morning’s press conference, Svecla, along with the head of the Kosovo Police, Samedin Mehmeti, addressed the recent incidents in the north.
„At approximately 7.40 am today, there was an attack on the Kosovo Police, which was on its way to change shifts at the border crossings. This grenade attack is a ‘terrorist act’ and was carried out with the aim of intimidating police officers. In the last three days, various groups have carried out four attacks. The first attack took place when metal spikes were set up to hinder the work of the Kosovo Police and endanger the lives of police officers. The second attack was stoning, the third attack happened last night when the police were shot at, and today two vehicles that were transporting police officers to the crossing were fired at. The strong commitment of institutions, especially the police, to the establishment of law and order has become an obstacle for Serbia and certain groups that Serbia supports,“ said Svecla.
The head of the Kosovo Police, Samedin Mehmeti, also reiterated that the attacks took place to hinder the work of the police in the fight against smuggling.
Mehmeti also confirmed that four attacks were registered since April 13th, specifying that they all took place in the municipality of Zubin Potok. He then shared details of the third attack.
„The third attack took place last night in the village of Bube, in an area called Prag, around 8:40 pm, where, as it is suspected, four to five rounds, around 30 bullets, were fired. It is also suspected that the shots arrived from the territory of Serbia. The bullets were fired at a distance of about 200 to 300 meters near the patrol that was located in the village of Bube, where we closed this illegal road, which was used for smuggling for a long time,“ he said. After the press conference, Albin Kurti and the Kosovo presidency also reacted.
“I call on Serbia to condemn and distance itself from the violent terrorist attacks on our police, some of whom were Kosova Serbs,” Kurti tweeted.
The Kosovo presidency also accused Serbia of being behind these attacks.
„In recent days, Serbia and its criminal structures carried out several attacks on the Kosovo
Police in the north. These actions, accompanied by disinformation attempts, are aimed at
destabilizing the security and political situation in Kosovo. They will fail, the rule of law will
prevail,“ the Kosovo presidency said in a statement.
Furthermore, the Kosovan president, Vjosa Osmani, has repeatedly highlighted in the last couple of days that „the rule of law is being challenged in the north of Kosovo by illegal gangs financed and supported by Serbia.“
Petkovic: Pristina to refrain from irresponsible speculations
The head of the Kosovo Office, Petar Petkovic, soon responded to the accusations presented by Kosovan top officials.
„I appeal to all actors in Pristina to refrain from irresponsible and unreliable speculations about the events in Zubin Potok because they can endanger stability on the ground,“ said Petkovic.
Orchestrated attacks on Serbs and official Belgrade, before the investigation was even wrapped up, call into question the motive for these events – he emphasized.
Petkovic also underlined that Belgrade is “unwaveringly committed to preserving peace and
stability in Kosovo because Kosovo Serbs know well the value of peace.“
The US ambassador and EU condemn the incidents
Finally, the US ambassador to Kosovo and the European Union condemned the attacks, while also calling on all sides to avoid „unnecessary speculation.”
“Kosovo Police is the primary security provider, and any use of force against its officers is
unacceptable,” the EU stressed.
The US ambassador to Kosovo, Jeff Hovenier, said that the U.S. Embassy is “deeply concerned by reports of gunshots fired and rocks thrown at Kosovan law enforcement officials near Zubin Potok.”
Hovenier also strongly condemned the incident, describing it as ”deplorable, unjustifiable
violence.”
“These attacks occurred as the sovereign authorities responsible for maintaining peace and
security were carrying out their official duties.”
In their statements, both Hovenier and the EU called on all sides to avoid speculations, warning that they could “increase tensions” on the ground.
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