Kurti Increases Police Presence in North Kosovo, EULEX Monitoring Situation

EULEX (BETAPHOTO/ARMENIJA ZAJMI BESEVIC)

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) has announced that the mission’s police patrols will be “monitoring the security situation” in north Kosovo in collaboration with Kosovo police throughout the day of Dec. 7 as well. 

At least two separate incidents took place on Dec. 6, when the newly-formed municipal electoral committees attempted to access their offices in the boroughs of Zubin Potok and North Kosovska Mitrovica to begin preparations for the upcoming local snap elections. The Serb Ticket, Kosovo’s most influential Serb party, has announced that it would boycott the vote, which is to take place on Dec. 18. 

According to Kossev.info, “two explosive devices, one of which detonated” were thrown at the local Electoral Commission’s offices in Zubin Potok, but the incident “was peacefully resolved” thanks to law enforcement. The second bomb was defused by KFOR late on Dec. 6, through a controlled explosion. 

The website also contacted EULEX, whose representatives confirmed that, on Dec. 6, their police officers helped secure the Municipal Electoral Commission’s building in North Kosovska Mitrovica at the request of the Kosovo Police Force and in coordination with KFOR. 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has stated that “criminal gangs have increased their attacks in northern Kosovo” and has announced that he will be dispatching additional Kosovo police to the territory’s north boroughs.