Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, has recently intensified his visits to North Mitrovica, a region he had largely avoided in the past. When asked about the reason for this newfound frequency, the minister himself pointed to a specific individual: „Earlier, you had Milan Radoičić.“ He made this statement to a KoSSev reporter during his most recent visit to North Mitrovica.
In a follow-up question, asking if Radoičić was the reason he avoided visiting the area previously, Sveçla clarified that his efforts had been focused on dismantling Radoičić’s „criminal group,“ which he suggested had made the region unsafe. Now, however, he stated the situation in the North had stabilized, enabling him to visit more freely.
Despite being surrounded by a heavy security detail, the minister seemed unaware of an incident that had taken place earlier that day, in the same location where he had been.
Rising Tensions
Just the day before, a well-known confectionery chain, Missini, opened a new location in North Mitrovica. Among the many guests at the opening was Sveçla himself. However, hours before the minister’s arrival, a tense confrontation unfolded outside the establishment.
The incident began when Aleksandar Arsenijević, leader of the Serbian Democratic Party, staged a protest by blowing a whistle outside Missini, where local officials had gathered. This led to a physical altercation in which Arsenijević was attacked by at least two Albanian guests of the restaurant. Both attackers were arrested, along with a nearby Serbian man, who was detained for „making remarks“ during the clash. All those involved were later released.
Further complicating the situation, Visar Syla, the deputy mayor of North Mitrovica, reportedly tried to prevent, allegedly both physically and verbally, media crews from Pristina from filming the incident. The Kosovo Journalists’ Association has condemned the obstruction of press coverage.
Minister’s Unawareness
When questioned about the confrontation, Minister Sveçla appeared uninformed. „Why was there an incident? I don’t know, ask the police here. I don’t know who provoked whom; that’s a question for the Kosovo Police,“ he told reporters.
As journalists inquired why he was in North Mitrovica at all, Sveçla responded with a counter-question, „Have I ever asked you why you are here?“
A New Security Environment
Minister Sveçla’s visits to North Mitrovica have become more frequent in recent weeks, though local media outlets are usually not notified in advance.
According to the minister, the area is now considered „safe“ following the absence of Milan Radoičić.
Radoičić, the former vice-president of Srpska Lista, has been absent from Kosovo for some time. Earlier this month, he was indicted in Kosovo for his involvement in the September 24, 2023, incident in Banjska. In the past, Radoičić had been implicated in the murder of prominent Serbian politician Oliver Ivanović, though an arrest warrant was later lifted by Kosovo’s special prosecutor’s office. He also faced legal troubles in the Brezovica case, though attempts to arrest him on that charge were unsuccessful.
Kosovo’s Interior Minister Visits North Mitrovica, Unaware of Incident Outside New Missini Locale
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