In the early hours of Sunday, Miloš Subotić, a resident of North Mitrovica, claims he was detained and physically abused by police officers after moving bags off a public walkway on his route home. Subotić alleges that the police officers, after stopping him near the main bridge over the Ibar River, took him to the station where he endured verbal and physical assaults. The police, however, deny any such treatment and state that Subotić was detained for damaging public property rented by the municipality.
According to Subotić, who documented his experience on video shot by members of the Srpska Demokratija party, the encounter unfolded around midnight near the newly opened Mehana store on the city promenade.
„I was returning home from a celebration with my wife. I live in Bošnjačka Mahala. As I passed by, I moved the bags to clear the path,“ Subotić explained in the video, adding that he cooperated with the police by placing his hands behind his back.
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Subotić, a legal professional, asserts that officers neither informed him of the reason for his detention nor provided clarity on any charges.
„I asked which law I had supposedly broken, but they gave no response,“ he recalled.
After being taken to a room without cameras, Subotić alleges that several officers entered, with one officer, whom he claims covered his badge, verbally berating him.
„This officer, who wouldn’t give his name, slapped me eight times, kicked my knee, and struck me in the chest, causing me to hit my head against the wall,“ Subotić recounted.
Subotić further claims that officers attempted to force an alcohol test on him despite his objections, as he was walking and not driving.
„They tried to force the breathalyzer into my mouth. My lip was torn in the process, and I have photographs of my ear, red from the slaps,“ he stated. He also alleges that another officer with a concealed badge later struck him.
Subotić expressed outrage at his treatment by police, saying he was reportedly not allowed to call a lawyer and was told that, as it was a misdemeanor case, he had no right to legal representation.
Detained until 3:30 a.m., he revealed that he was then presented with a document written in Albanian, which he refused to sign, insisting on his constitutional right to respond in Serbian.
Meanwhile, he sought medical attention following his release and reported injuries consistent with his allegations, including a sore knee, split lip, and neck pain.
He plans to report the incident to the KPI on Monday, stating, „If this continues, there’s no place for us Serbs in Kosovo. No one should endure this level of abuse. Forcing a breathalyzer into someone’s mouth while they’re restrained is intolerable.“
Kosovo Police Denies Involvement in Alleged Beating Case
In a statement for KoSSev, Kosovo Police Spokesman Petrit Fejza responded to the claims, confirming that the police detained Subotić, who they suspected of property damage.
„A citizen should not damage rented or municipal property. He refused to comply, which led us to detain him,“ Fejza explained.
He added that officers suspected Subotić was under the influence of alcohol, which he reportedly refused to confirm through a breathalyzer test.
Fejza denied that Subotić experienced any abuse, advising Subotić to file a complaint with the police or Kosovo’s Police Inspectorate if he feels mistreated.
“If there was abuse, different officers are on duty now, and we’ll take his statement and begin an investigation,” Fejza said, noting Subotić could also directly approach the KPI.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
