The Kosovo Police Inspectorate has assessed that the return to duty of two police officers accused of allegedly mistreating North Mitrovica resident Miloš Subotić on October 26 does not pose an issue for the ongoing investigation.
In a statement provided to KoSSev, KPI confirmed that the case, along with a criminal complaint, has been handed over to the Prosecutor’s Office in Mitrovica.
„Referring to your request, we inform you that KPI investigators, after conducting investigative actions regarding the complaint filed by citizen M.S., submitted the case with a criminal complaint to the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Mitrovica on December 5, 2024,“ the statement read.
The decision to allow the officers, a sergeant and a police officer, to return to duty followed this development. KPI maintains that their return does not interfere with the investigation at this stage.
„As the presence of the officers accused in this case does not constitute an obstacle to the investigation, and since the case has been forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office, KPI has assessed that their return to duty at this stage does not pose a problem,“ the inspectorate stated.
KPI further emphasized that all subsequent actions will be conducted in accordance with legal authorizations and in cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office.
The officers returned to duty yesterday, more than a month and a half after their suspension on October 30. Their suspension was initially recommended by KPI following allegations of their involvement in the mistreatment of Subotić.
The incident began when Subotić, a resident of North Mitrovica, was detained late at night near the Ibar River bridge after moving bags on a public space near a newly opened store.
Following his detention, Subotić claimed he was taken to a room without cameras, where officers—who allegedly had their badge numbers covered—beat him. He was later released with a fine for an alleged offense.
Kosovo police denied the allegations, stating that Subotić had engaged in vandalism, insulted the officers, and refused to obey their commands. However, the KPI initiated an investigation the same day into potential police misconduct.
The incident sparked strong reactions, mostly from Serbian organizations and the Kosovo Ombudsperson’s deputy.
The five leading civil society organizations from northern Kosovo condemned the „illegal detention and beating“ of Subotić, with some even suspending their cooperation with EULEX in protest of the police actions.
Kosovo Police Officers Reinstated After October Suspension in Subotić Case
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