In a charged atmosphere in North Mitrovica, Aleksandar Arsenijević, leader of the Serbian Democracy Party, was briefly detained once again by Kosovo Police today for blowing a whistle in protest on the Mitrovica promenade. Veton Elshani, Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the North, confirmed that along with Arsenijević, three others were detained for “disturbing public order” — one Serb and two ethnic Albanians — the latter of whom allegedly attempted to physically confront Arsenijević in response to his demonstration.
Arsenijević was taken into custody while protesting by blowing a whistle outside the newly opened Missini restaurant. The establishment was hosting a local official at the time, prompting Arsenijević to express his discontent. The situation escalated when at least two Albanians, reportedly guests at the restaurant, physically tried to confront him. This confrontation led to the arrest of both the Albanians involved and another Serbian man who was nearby.
According to the police, all four individuals were detained for „disturbing public order.“ In a media statement after his release, Arsenijević questioned the conditions of his detainment and raised concerns about his ability to move freely in his own city.
„I protested the presence of Erden Atić at the promenade,“ Arsenijević told reporters.
„Three individuals began insulting me from the newly opened Missini café. I have recordings showing Atić’s security negotiating with them. Then one of them, wearing a white shirt, tried to approach me from behind, followed by another who had been cursing at me earlier. The man in the white shirt tried to grab my arm, and that’s when the police arrested me instead of the ones attacking me. This is outrageous!“
Arsenijević claimed the attackers were not locals but had come from the southern part of the city. „I was assaulted by three Albanian individuals who aren’t even from this part of town. They came from the south. They arrested me and fined me for ‘disrespecting an official’ because of this attack.“
He further questioned whether this incident implied he was no longer allowed to walk freely in his own city. „Does this mean I can’t walk around my town if someone aggressive approaches me? They won’t even let us cry when they beat us. This won’t be tolerated.“
The other Serbian man detained alongside Arsenijević was also fined, with Arsenijević claiming that the police officer told him, „You know they’re aggressive, why are you strolling here?“
Outside the police station, Arsenijević directed his frustration toward the international community: „Am I not allowed to walk freely in my city? Is this the goal of this government, to push us out, meter by meter?“
Arsenijević vowed that the Serbian Democracy Party would continue its actions, saying, „We’ll be even more creative and stronger. The more they press us, the more empowered we’ll be.“
The incident, which saw four individuals arrested – two Serbs and two Albanians – was confirmed by Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Police for the North, Veton Elshani.
Elshani confirmed that all four individuals had been arrested for disturbing public order.
„Aleksandar and one other man on one side, and the other two on the opposite side. Everyone will be questioned, and we’ll see what happens.“
He also indirectly confirmed that Arsenijević was attacked.
„Arsenijević was arrested for whistling, and another Serbian man was likely intoxicated, though that is yet to be confirmed. Due to Aleksandar’s whistleblowing, the others went after him, and we detained everyone,“ Elshani stated.
Shortly after Arsenijević’s arrest, his supporters began a small protest outside the police station. Video footage of the incident has since circulated on social media, showing the tense moments that unfolded between the two groups.
A truck driver of Albanian ethnicity, passing by the police station during the protest, briefly halted his vehicle, got out, and confronted the group of Serbian Democracy supporters before driving away.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
