two injured in clashes between NATO and Serbian community in Kosovo – Kommersant

As a result of clashes between representatives of the Kosovo Serb party “Serbian List” with the police of Kosovo and the international forces under the auspices of NATO (KFOR), two people were injured in the city of Zvecan, reports a Serbian newspaper “Evening News” with reference to his correspondent.

According to the publication, the Serbs are protesting in front of the Zvecan municipality. According to the correspondent of “Evening News”, the KFOR servicemen tried to drag the vice-president of the “Serbian list” Igor Simich inside their cordon.

After that, more than 30 stun grenades were thrown at the protesters and tear gas was sprayed, the newspaper reports. The publication said that the Kosovo police opened fire.

Earlier today, on May 29, KFOR forces blocked the approaches to the city administration buildings of the municipalities of Zvecan, Leposavić and Zubin Potok. The bridge across the Ibar River, separating the Albanian and Serb parts of Kosovska Mitrovica, was also blocked.

Several thousand Serbs are protesting in northern Kosovo and Metohija against newly elected Albanian mayors. Earlier, four municipalities in the north of Kosovo and Metohija held local government elections. Serbs, predominantly living in these areas, boycotted the elections. Party leaders warned that “from June 1, the Serbs will defend themselves against the repression of the Kosovo government by all available means.”

On May 26, the Kosovo police dispersed a group of Serbs with the help of special equipment, who were trying to prevent Albanian mayors who had taken office the day before from entering the local administration buildings. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic ordered the army to be put on high alert and pushed to the border with Kosovo.

On the development of the situation – in the material “Kommersant” “Serbs faced off with rallies.”

Erdni Kagaltynov