In a significant move, the former Fire Station building in North Mitrovica, once home to the Kosovo-Metohija district and several Serbian institutions, including the „Office for Kosovo and Metohija“, was officially handed over to the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs for 99 years. This decision was made during an extraordinary session of the North Mitrovica Municipal Assembly earlier today.
The decision, passed with 12 votes in favor and one against, highlights the ongoing complexities and tensions in the region. The sole opposing vote came from Serbian assembly member Dušan Milunović.
The assembly’s president, Nedžad Ugljanin, confirmed the outcome, stating that two major items on the agenda were the approval of the 2025 budget and the transfer of municipal property to the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs.
„This decision was passed with 12 votes for and one against. During the previous session, some Albanian members voted against it, so we convened today’s extraordinary session,“ Ugljanin explained.
Property Transfer Sparks Debate
The parcels in question have long been a point of contention, particularly given the presence of Serbian institutions in the building. The debate about the transfer has been ongoing, with concerns raised about its legality and timing. During the previous regular session, Ugljanin’s deputy argued that assembly members should have received materials for the vote at least seven days in advance.
Milunović, the only Serbian representative in the assembly, voiced his frustration at the time: “Why the rush? If the MIA wants this, they can have half of my land too,” he remarked, leaving the previous session before the final vote.
Lack of Media Notification
Adding to the controversy, local media outlets were not notified of the session. When questioned, Ugljanin claimed ignorance, attributing the oversight to the assembly’s technical staff.
Criticism from the Serbian side
The decision has been met with fierce criticism from Serbian officials. Petar Petković, the head of the Office for KiM, described the decision as a continuation of the „police occupation of Northern Kosovo.“ Srpska Lista, a major political entity representing Kosovo Serbs, called it „legal and institutional violence.“
According to Petković, the building in Bošnjačka Mahala was „seized at gunpoint“ to house what he refers to as „Kurti’s police.“ He emphasized that the takeover was a breach of the Brussels Agreement, which governs relations between Serbia and Kosovo, and accused the Kosovo government of using force to intimidate the Serbian population.
Petković also criticized the international community, accusing it of silently watching the militarization of Northern Kosovo. He reiterated that Kurti’s police are terrorizing the Serbian population, listing incidents of violence, arrests, and the intimidation of Serbian youth.
Srpska Lista echoed Petković’s sentiment, labeling the transfer of the building as „institutional violence.“
They accused the Kosovo government of continuing its „repression“ despite international calls to halt unilateral actions. The party emphasized that the decision was made by „illegitimate“ councilors, further inflaming the already tense situation in Northern Kosovo.
Long-standing Dispute Over the Building
The saga surrounding the former Fire Station has been ongoing for over a year. Since late August 2023, Kosovo authorities have been making efforts to take control of the building, which previously housed the Kosovo-Metohija district, the Serbian Office for Kosovo and Metohija, and other Serbian services.
By early September, signs for three Kosovo ministries had appeared on the building, sparking outrage among the local Serbian community.
The handover was delayed multiple times due to international pressure. However, in recent months, Kosovo officials have pushed forward, with Prime Minister Albin Kurti stating that the municipality of North Mitrovica plans to create a park near the building as part of a larger urban renewal effort.
A Broader Pattern
This is not the first time the North Mitrovica Municipal Assembly has ceded property to the Kosovo MIA.
In December 2023, the assembly approved the transfer of a 27,400 square meter parcel known as „Vojni Remont,“ also for 99 years. A petition by the Serbian Democratic Party to hold a referendum on the matter failed due to the absence of a legal framework for referendums in Kosovo.
The „Vojni Remont“ site, like the former Fire Station, had housed several Serbian services and structures funded by Serbia. By August 2024, Kosovo police had already taken control of this property, further escalating tensions between the Serbian and Albanian communities in the region.
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