Kosovo's premier stands behind policing practices against local Serbs

BELGRADE, Serbia

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Wednesday that police units guarding newly elected mayors have the government's full and unconditional support to protect their offices in four municipalities.

Kurti made these remarks during a panel discussion titled "The Future of Kosovo," which was part of the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum broadcast live on digital platforms from Slovakia's capital of Bratislava.

"As long as there is this violent mob outside threatening to attack and graffiti showing admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, we must have special units at municipal buildings," he said, praising the police for their professionalism.

“They are trained by democratic Western countries. They are Western-oriented and know human rights very well. There are no violations from our side of the police,'' he insisted.

According to Kurti, two basic things are required to alleviate tension in the north of Kosovo.

"The rule of law, 'these gangs' should either return to Serbia or go to prison in Kosovo," he said, as well as the immediate implementation of the agreements without conditions.

He claimed that only mayors have the legitimacy to be in municipal buildings and serve citizens.

The EU, US, NATO, and China, as well as Germany and many other countries, have condemned the Kosovo security forces for their “violence” against local Serbs.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanded that Kosovo halt the violent measures.

China on Tuesday put its weight behind Serbia amid the Balkan nation’s renewed conflict with neighboring Kosovo.

Tensions have gripped Kosovo as ethnic Serbs protested the election of ethnic Albanian mayors in four municipalities last month in the country's northern municipalities.

Serbs have been protesting outside these municipalities since Monday when the mayors took their oaths and began their official duties.

On Monday, at least 30 soldiers of the NATO-led international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR) were injured in clashes with Serbs who were protesting and attempting to prevent the newly-elected mayor of Zvecan municipality in northern Kosovo from entering town hall to take the oath of office and begin official responsibilities.

Protesters attempted to breach the police cordon in front of the town hall, police said in a statement, adding that they used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

KFOR units also used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters, who refused to leave and responded with stones and sticks.

According to hospital sources, over 53 civilians were also injured by shock bombs and tear gas.

Police in Kosovo also said that at least five people were detained following the clashes.

Contentious mayoral elections

Last month, Kosovo Serbs boycotted extraordinary local government elections for four municipalities. Only 3.47% of eligible voters cast ballots, according to the Kosovo Central Election Commission (KQZ).

After the elections, the EU said in a statement that low turnout did not provide the municipalities with long-term political solutions.

As tensions rose in the region, neighboring Serbia ordered its army to advance to the border with Kosovo – which Serbia claims to be its own territory – and urged NATO to “stop the violence against local Serbs in Kosovo.”

The EU requires Kosovo and Serbia to reach a final agreement and resolve disputes to progress in their integration into the bloc.