On the eve of the second anniversary of the Banjska attack, Kosovo’s Special Prosecutor’s Office announced it has filed an indictment against six people — S.S., I.V., M.V., M.R., N.M. and A.L. — over their alleged involvement in violent clashes in North Mitrovica on October 13, 2021.
According to the indictment, the six are charged with “Participation in a Mass” resulting in “Hooliganism,” as well as “Unauthorized Ownership, Control or Possession of Weapons.”
Prosecutors say there is reasonable suspicion the accused took part in a gathering of dozens of people in North Mitrovica which fluctuated in size as it moved through the city. The crowd allegedly attacked Kosovo Police and Customs officers with stones, wooden and metal rods, and hand grenades, endangering public safety.
The indictment also states the defendants set up barricades and ambushed police units. Armored police vehicles were reportedly targeted with firearms and hand grenades, leaving officers B.A., E.V. and S.A. injured.
In the Brđani neighborhood the same day, I.V., M.V. and M.R. allegedly attacked police and customs officials with gas canisters and opened fire on officers and official vehicles, the Prosecutor’s Office claims.
Later, the crowd reportedly moved toward a pharmacy where five more Kosovo Police officers — M.M., Xh.M., A.R., B.Sh. and A.M. — were injured, while material damage exceeded €20,000.
What happened on October 13, 2021?
The clashes broke out during one of the first major police operations against alleged smuggling under Kosovo’s Self-Determination-led government. The action, carried out on October 13, 2021, targeted 26 locations across Kosovo, nine of them in the north — though only one location was ultimately raided.
The fiercest clashes occurred during a search of Besim Zeqiri’s pharmacy in central Mitrovica. Stones and stun grenades were thrown, a police vehicle was set on fire, and civilian property was damaged. One Serb was seriously wounded and later underwent surgery. Kosovo Police reported six officers injured, while Serbian sources put the total number of injured at 10.
Eight people were arrested at the time — six Albanians, one Bosniak and one Serb — and police announced they were seeking 10 more suspects, including two Serbs.
Journalists from KoSSev and other outlets were also attacked and prevented from reporting. Barricades were erected during the day and removed in the evening.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
