On the request of the Municipality of North Mitrovica, Kosovo Police today sealed off the premises of the Serbian Directorate for Urban Construction Land and Roads, which also houses the offices of the Public Housing Company.
The operation began around 11:00 AM, with police entering the building and removing inventory, including computers, office equipment, and Serbian flags displayed in front of the premises. Police officers also replaced the locks on the doors before leaving the site, leaving the building under their control.
Background of the Operation
Deputy Commander for the Northern Region, Veton Elshani, confirmed that the police entered the premises after a formal request from the local municipality, which claims ownership of the building.
According to Elshani, preliminary findings indicate that the facility may have been used by a „parallel illegal structure,“ prompting the opening of an investigation into document forgery.
“We entered the premises, spoke to the employees, and found documentation bearing seals that suggest unauthorized operations,” Elshani stated. He added that the case is now under prosecutorial review, with oversight maintained until ownership disputes are resolved.
During the operation, workers from the Public Utility Company „Standard“ removed items they claimed to own, while police reportedly seized materials believed to be potential evidence.
Removal of Serbian Flags
As part of the operation, police took down two Serbian flags from the building, sparking protests from Aleksandar Arsenijević, leader of the Serbian Democracy Party, who demanded their reinstatement while demonstrating outside the premises.
Broader Context
This action is the latest in a series of measures aimed at phasing out Serbian state-affiliated institutions and symbols in northern Kosovo. Over the past two years, Kosovo authorities have moved to close or take over facilities tied to Serbian administrative functions, including municipal offices, public utilities, and post offices.
In addition to institutional closures, changes have included the mandatory registration of vehicles with Kosovo license plates and the nullification of Serbian-issued driver’s licenses. While more than year-long restrictions on the import of Serbian goods were partially lifted in October.
The closure of Serbian-affiliated institutions has had significant repercussions for local communities, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands of residents in northern Kosovo have lost physical workplaces tied to Serbian public structures.
As the year concludes, the sealing of this municipal building underscores the continuing efforts by Kosovo authorities to assert full control over the region—a contentious process that began in earnest in 2023.
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