Representatives of the Municipality of North Mitrovica, led by Mayor Milan Radojević, were unable on Tuesday to install a banner reading “Peace of God, Christ Is Born,” Kosovo Police Deputy Commander for the North region, Veton Elshani, confirmed to KoSSev.
Elshani explained that Kosovo Police received information earlier in the day that municipal officials were attempting to place the banner.
According to him, the banner featured the message “Peace of God, Christ Is Born,” along with the insignia of the Serbian List party and the colors of the Serbian flag.
Following discussions with municipal representatives at the site and later at the police station, Elshani said officials were informed that a request must be submitted to Kosovo’s Ministry of Local Government Administration in order to install the banner.
He added that the Municipality of North Mitrovica subsequently sent a formal request to the Ministry, noting that Kosovo Police also forwarded a request regarding the banner. However, Elshani stated that no decision was received from the Ministry during the day, which is why the banner was not installed.
KoSSev later asked Kosovo Police why it was necessary for the municipality to seek permission to place a banner within its own administrative territory, and under whose order police acted to prevent municipal officials from installing it. By the time of publication, no response had been received.
An inquiry was also sent to North Mitrovica Mayor Milan Radojević, but he did not respond prior to publication.
Meanwhile, Radojević told Kosovo Online that he was issued a citation at the police station for failure to comply with a police order, and that the banner was confiscated.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
