An incident occurred in Kosovska Mitrovica today when Kosovo police officers surrounded a Serbian high school graduate in the city center. One of the police officers grabbed him by the neck and mistreated him, and traces of blood were visible on the young man's neck. The graduate was saved from further mistreatment by citizens and professors, writes N1.
The incident occurred in the center of Kosovska Mitrovica, when high school graduates, accompanied by their professors and accompanied by trumpeters, traditionally paraded through the city. Reactions followed from a nearby cafe, when one of the guests showed the symbol of an eagle and a greater Albania, and the graduates responded by showing the middle finger.
A Kosovo police officer then ran to the graduates and pulled the young man out of the group, who he later abused in front of other citizens, but also a colleague who was trying to calm the situation - both his colleague and the agitated citizens of Serbian ethnicity.
Footage published by the media and appearing on social media shows a younger Kosovo police officer squeezing a high school graduate's neck, pressing his finger on his throat, and traces of blood are visible on the young man's neck, writes N1.
The most persistent in helping the high school graduate was the professor, who had IV3 written on his T-shirt, just like the young man, so it is assumed that he was the class teacher. He did not let the high school graduate go until, with the help of other citizens, he managed to separate him from the policeman and take him away.
Kosovo Police: There were provocations
Kosovo Police announced today that several high school graduates celebrated the end of the school year with flags and songs at Tsar Lazar Square in northern Mitrovica and that "there were provocations to which the police responded."
Deputy Police Commander for the North Region, Veton Eljshani, told Pristina media that "the situation has been brought under control" and that the graduates continued their celebration without further incidents and without the need for additional intervention.
Barbano: I am convinced that those responsible for the unacceptable act will be held accountable in accordance with the law
The Head of the EULEX Mission in Kosovo, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, announced today that he is deeply shocked and condemns the excessive use of force by a Kosovo police officer against a high school student in North Mitrovica, Beta news agency reports.
"I have conveyed my concerns to the authorities in the Kosovo police and I am confident that those responsible for this unacceptable act will be held accountable in accordance with the law," Barbano said in a post on the social network X.
Office for Kosovo and Metohija: What would have happened if everything hadn't happened in broad daylight?
The Office for Kosovo and Metohija of the Government of Serbia states that during today's incident, several Kosovo police officers surrounded, pushed and provoked a young Serbian man, a high school graduate, grabbing him by the neck and speaking to him in Albanian.
"The question is what would have happened to the Serbian high school graduate if it had not happened in broad daylight and in front of numerous witnesses, his fellow citizens and teachers, because it is well known that when it comes to Serbian children, the Kosovo police exceed their duties, use excessive force, beat them, and detain them without reason or question," the Office stated.
SRCE: Statements from the Office for Kosovo and Metohija will not improve the position of Serbs
The Serbia Center Party (SRCE) assessed that Serbia's "only reaction" to the Kosovo police's treatment of high school graduates was the statement by the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, which "will not improve the position" of Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija.
"The unnecessary and excessive use of force by members of the Kosovo Police against a group of Serbian students celebrating their graduation is a continuation of the violence against the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, carried out by the government of Albin Kurti," SRCE said.
SRCE warned that it is possible that, due to the "policy of ignoring the problems" of the Serbian people in Kosovo, such incidents "will continue in the future."
"What is happening now is a new phase in the creeping recognition of Kosovo's independence by Serbia, which has not reacted to the shutdown of Serbian institutions for a long time," the statement reads.
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