Another Serbian-run institution in northern Kosovo, the Urban Planning Directorate in North Mitrovica, was shut down today, with all office inventory confiscated. The action was confirmed by KoSSev and the Kosovo Police.
KoSSev reporters arrived at the scene as the operation was wrapping up. Inspectors were seen leaving the premises after sealing the office door with tape.
The closure was later confirmed by Deputy Commander of Kosovo Police for the North Region, Veton Elshani.
„Today, we verified information suggesting potential illegal activities at this location. Upon confirming it was the Urban Planning Directorate, we contacted the prosecutor, obtained a warrant, confiscated all items, and closed the office,“ Elshani explained.
According to Elshani, the entire inventory was removed from the premises. Two individuals were questioned as witnesses, due to suspicions that the office was part of a “parallel structure,” but no arrests were made. The building is now under police control.
Unlike yesterday’s sealing of the Directorate for Municipal Construction Land and Roads and the Directorate for Residential and Commercial Space, which the Municipality of North Mitrovica claims ownership of, today’s action targeted an office located in a private apartment.
Sequence of Closures
On Wednesday, the Kosovo Police entered the premises of the Directorate for Municipal Construction Land and Roads and the Directorate for Residential and Commercial Space. Located in the same building, these offices were inspected with assistance from municipal authorities, who claimed ownership.
Police determined that “illegal activities” were taking place and proceeded to seal the offices, change the locks, and confiscate office equipment, including computers. Serbian flags displayed on the premises were also removed and taken as evidence. Employees were allowed to collect their personal belongings before leaving.
The police have since opened an investigation into document forgery, and the premises remain under their control.
A Year of Institutional Closures
The latest actions are part of a broader effort to remove the remnants of Serbian institutions in northern Kosovo. The trend began in 2023 with the takeover of municipal offices and expanded in 2024 to include closures of Serbian institutions across the region.
Key developments include the discontinuation of Serbian dinar circulation, re-registration of vehicles to Kosovo-issued plates, invalidation of Serbian driver’s licenses, and temporary trade restrictions on Serbian goods. Although some trade restrictions were lifted in October 2024 as part of Kosovo’s accession to CEFTA, the closures of institutions have continued unabated.
Since August, eight buildings have been shut down, including municipal offices, public utilities, and other services. These closures have displaced thousands of Serbian employees from their workplaces.
With the latest action against the Urban Planning Directorate, the year ends as it began – with the systematic removal of Serbian institutions from northern Kosovo.
Flags Removed, Locks Changed: Kosovo Police Seal Serbian-Affiliated Facility
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
