In a statement released this evening through local news outlet KoSSev, Mitrovica local G.V. denied allegations published earlier today by several Albanian-language media outlets, accusing him of assaulting Serbian politician Goran Rakić. He refuted the claims, describing them as false, unethical, and irresponsible, and announced his intent to take legal action against the involved media. He also stated that he would voluntarily report to the police to deny any involvement in the alleged incident.
The reports claimed that an incident occurred last night in North Mitrovica, where former leader of Srpska Lista and current member of the Serbian Parliament, Goran Rakić, was allegedly attacked. Rakić, who has held various political positions, including Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo and Mayor of North Mitrovica, was reportedly beaten by unidentified individuals. According to unconfirmed sources, Rakić may have received medical treatment at the hospital in North Mitrovica following the attack.
Despite these rumors, KoSSev portal was unable to officially verify the claims with Rakić, Kosovo Police, or the Director of the Clinical Hospital Center in North Mitrovica. As a result, we chose not to publish the story earlier today.
However, some Albanian-language media outlets went ahead and reported on the incident, providing additional details, including full names and specific accusations. They identified G.V. as the alleged perpetrator of the attack, presenting the information as a confirmed fact.
In response, G.V. contacted us through his lawyer, issuing a formal denial of any involvement in the alleged assault. In a brief interview with KoSSev, G.V. expressed his distress over the headlines and reports in certain media, which not only mentioned his name but also involved members of his family. He requested that we publish his official denial.
I had no involvement in the reported incident, he stated, emphasizing that he had spent the entire day engaged in sports and recreational activities outside of North Mitrovica.
He further indicated that he would visit the Kosovo police station voluntarily and take legal action against the media outlets that linked him to the event.
In a written statement to KoSSev, his legal representative, Dejan A. Vasić, said: „On behalf of G.V., who is, according to certain media reports, suspected of allegedly attacking politician Goran Rakić, I inform the public that he is on his way to Mitrovica and will report to the Kosovo Police this evening to deny his involvement and any contact with Goran Rakić.“
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.