Albanian Language Media:

• Zvecan municipality building attacked with hand grenades (media)

• Kurti about attack in Zvecan: These are criminal and terrorist acts (RTK)

• Zvecan Mayor condemns hand grenade attack on municipal premises (media)

• Svecla: No one can stop freedom, civil rights, through fear and terrorism (media)

• PDK condemns Zvecan attack: Clear attempt to intimidate Mayor Peci (media)

• Kurti: I always coordinated with President Osmani on foreign policy (media)

• Rohde: I told leaders about restrictions on election campaigns in Germany (media)

• Begaj reaffirms Albania's commitment to support Kosovo (RTK)

• “Provocation of two Montenegrin soldiers is a scandal, if not worse” (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Municipality of Gracanica asked KFOR's protection, police do not have capacity to ensure peace (KiM radio, Tanjug) 

• Subaric discusses Gracanica incident with police: Criminal reports and promises they will work on case (Radio KiM)

• Serbian Democracy on the last night's incident in Gracanica: A serious threat to peace (Kontakt plus radio)

• Rada Trajkovic: Where did the honour and good-neighbour relations disappear? (social media)

• Residents of Gracanica: We are disturbed, provocations are not needed in this troubled time (Kosovo Online)

• Velebit: “Kurti uses political vacuum before Trump comes to power, escalation in intimidating Serbs to be expected” (Kosovo Online)

• Rohde: European draft of CSM Statute an official document; Kosovo must fulfil its legal obligations (Kosovo Online)

• Gogic: Kurti wants to reduce the CSM to the Association of Kosovo Municipalities, but the CSM has additional powers (Kosovo Online)

• Explosion in Zvecan: Explosive device thrown, increased police presence (N1, KoSSev)

• Svecla accuses ''criminal groups directed by Belgrade'' for last night's explosion in Zvecan while investigation is ongoing (KoSSev)

 

                                     Albanian Language Media  

 

Zvecan municipality building attacked with hand grenades (media)

 

All media report that on the night between Thursday and Friday, hand grenades were thrown in the courtyard of the municipality of Zvecan. Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani, said there were no injuries from the attack, but that the municipality building and four cars that were parked nearby were damaged. “Last night before midnight, there was an explosion that we suspect was an M-75 hand grenade. It caused material damage to the Zvecan municipality building, as well as to 4 cars that were parked nearby,” he said. Elshani also said that police are investigating the case. “The Police remain committed to continuing to provide services to the citizens of the north of the country,” he added.

 

Kurti about attack in Zvecan: These are criminal and terrorist acts (RTK)

 

Kurti also said that the security situation in the north “was never better than now”. “It is not that there are no perpetrators, but the criminal structures have either fled to Serbia or are in jail in Kosovo or are sheltered somewhere outside our region. There are no internal sources of potential instability or security threats that we cannot manage,” he argued.

 

Zvecan Mayor condemns hand grenade attack on municipal premises (media)

 

Mayor of the municipality of Zvecan, Ilir Peci, said in a Facebook post today that last night unidentified individuals carried out a hand grenade attack against the premises of Zvecan municipality. “This violent act has caused material damages, but fortunately no one was injured. As mayor of the municipality, I strongly condemn this unacceptable act of violence and terror, and there was another attack two days ago against the police station in Zvecan,” he said. Peci also shared photos of the damages from the attack. See here: https://t.ly/gwe4l

 

Svecla: No one can stop freedom and civil rights through fear and terrorism (media)

 

Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said in a Facebook post today that “the recent attacks against institutions in the north are an expression of desperation and cowardice of criminal gangs orchestrated by Belgrade. At a time when they are being dismantled more and more, they desperately want to show that they are still here and strong. But we are more determined than ever to completely eliminate every criminal and terrorist ounce in our country. We say directly what we have been saying these last four years: the time of impunity and amnesty for criminal gangs is over. Constitutionality, legality, law and order, will function in every corner, and no one can stop freedom and civil rights through fear and terrorism”.

 

PDK condemns Zvecan attack: Clear attempt to intimidate Mayor Peci (media)

 

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) condemned the hand grenade attack on the municipal building in Zvecan on the night between Thursday and Friday, saying that it is a clear attempt to intimidate Mayor Ilir Peci and his staff, “who are working for the good of all citizens without any difference”. “Such acts of violence have no place in our society, and they threaten the safety of citizens, undermine democratic processes and aim to destabilize our institutions. Mayor Ilir Peci represents our engagement for a more united and better Kosovo where all citizens are treated equally. These efforts must be supported and not sabotaged. We call on law enforcement and judicial authorities to urgently investigate the case, identify the authors and bring them to justice. The security and well-being of our citizens must remain a high priority, and impunity for such acts cannot be tolerated. The PDK reiterates our request for law enforcement authorities to offer protection and guarantee the safety of the Mayor, and other officials of the municipality of Zvecan. The Democratic Party of Kosovo stands strongly on the side of Mayor Peci and the citizens of Zvecan. We will not allow fear and violence to obstruct our joint progress toward a better Kosovo for all,” the statement notes.

 

Kurti: I always coordinated with President Osmani on foreign policy (media)

 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti commented today on a recent statement by President Vjosa Osmani to the Kosovo Assembly that there should be no gambling with relations with Kosovo’s allies. Kurti said: “I have always communicated and coordinated with President Osmani, Assembly Speaker Konjufca and Minister Gervalla on foreign policy. Our achievements are shared, and I believe this should continue. There are no difficulties or challenges that we cannot overcome”.

 

Rohde: I told leaders about restrictions on election campaigns in Germany (media)

 

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, has stressed that he has made it clear to the leaders of political parties in Kosovo that there are restrictions in Germany regarding election campaigns by foreigners. “As I have also told (the leaders of) political parties, we have a regulation adopted a few years ago, according to which there are some restrictions regarding foreign election campaigns. One of the elements of this regulation is that in principle there should be no foreign election campaigns on German territory three months before the election date. This is because we do not want… let's say… we have three million members of the Turkish minority there and you know… there are very revealing campaigns. So they can be held in your countries, that is why this regulation exists. Events can certainly be organized, but not too close to the elections, Rohde said. He said this was a friendly reminder "because not everyone was aware of it, even though this regulation was communicated to all embassies in 2022. But maybe not all governments have communicated it to all stakeholders," he said in an interview with RTV21.

 

Begaj reaffirms Albania's commitment to support Kosovo (RTK)

 

On the occasion of the 112th anniversary of Independence, at a state ceremony, the President of Albania, Bajram Begaj reaffirmed the country's commitment to support Kosovo in its efforts for international recognition and European integration. According to the President, this is precisely the day and moment to thank the historical and strategic friend and ally, the United States of America, for the support it has given the Albanian nation from the declaration of independence of Albania to the independence of Kosovo.

 

The President underlined that ‘we as a nation, our two states, Albania and Kosovo, must be aware of this power that we have and use it in the service of alliances that strengthen our role in the international arena.’ "Kosovo has had, has and will always have the support of Albania. It will have the constant support for new recognitions and membership in international organizations, as well as the achievement of common objectives, including membership in the EU. The Republic of Kosovo is an unchanging reality and a factor of peace in the region," Begaj underlined.

 

“Provocation of two Montenegrin soldiers is a scandal, if not worse” (media)

 

Retired admiral of the Montenegrin Army, Dragan Samardjic, said on Thursday that the behavior of two Montenegrin soldiers during their stay in Kosovo and a logo “Kosovo is Serbia” on their vehicle, is a scandal and that it should not pass without consequences. “This is a scandal. Regardless of whether they were on medical leave or on vacation. Whenever and wherever, members of the Army of Montenegro are obliged to respect the Law on the Army, which among other issues includes the code of conduct too. Any spread of national hatred or highlighting national characteristics is absolutely unacceptable and is subject to sentences and sanctions,” he said in an interview with Pobjeda.

 

 

 

Serbian Language Media 

 

Municipality of Gracanica asked KFOR's protection, police do not have capacity to ensure peace (KiM radio, Tanjug) 

KiM Radio reported that after last night's incident in which a group of Albanians stopped traffic, provoked the locals, honked horns, and waved Albanian flags, the Municipality of Gracanica asked KFOR to protect the people of Gracanica.

"The residents of Gracanica are afraid for the safety of their families and that is why we most urgently demand the international security forces, above all KFOR, to stand in the protection of our people after last night dozens of Albanians blocked the streets in cars with Albanian and KLA insignia and most of them with balaclavas, insulted the citizens and tried to remove the flag of the Republic of Serbia from the monument to Milos Obilic, just a few tens of meters from the Gracanica Monastery," said the municipality.

This local self-government said Kosovo police showed last night "that they are unable and have no capacity to ensure peace on the streets of Gracanica", and that is why they are calling on KFOR to protect the people.

"Such staged attacks on Serbian municipalities and citizens are not sporadic incidents, nor isolated cases, but an organized and well-planned action aimed at causing violence and instilling fear among the Serbian population this time on the streets of Gracanica. Several Serbian families with minor children were also blocked in the convoy of cars with KLA and Albania markings, who only managed to get out of the convoy and reach the Police Station for protection. Unfortunately, due to the small number of officers on duty, there was no police protection until the arrival of reinforced police forces from Pristina," the municipality said in a statement.

They say that last night's incident is an indication that the Serbian population is unprotected, and that the situation is becoming more unsafe every day.

"We call on the central institutions in Pristina to stop with incendiary election rhetoric and show through their work that they stand for a democratic multi-ethnic society that strives for European norms, in which the lives of all citizens are first of all respected, regardless of national and religious affiliation."

They tell the representatives of the Quint countries they should show that they stand for peace and stability in the whole of Kosovo and to condemn the violence.

"Throughout yesterday, a column of cars decorated with KLA insignia and Albanian flags paraded through the streets of the municipality of Gracanica, and during the evening hours it culminated when the column of cars blocked the center of Gracanica around the monastery, provoking passers-by with gunshots, car sirens, KLA shouts and blocking traffic. Several of them wearing balaclavas got out of the car and tried to remove the flag of the Republic of Serbia from the monument to Milos Obilic," the Municipality of Gracanica recalled last night's event.

It was stated that, however, they will not succumb to provocations. "Only due to the calmness of our citizens, there was no escalation of violence last night despite the attempts of an organized group of Albanians to provoke violence on the streets of Gracanica and destroy the multi-ethnicity and tolerance that we have been building for decades in the municipality of Gracanica," the statement concludes.

Subaric discusses Gracanica incident with police: Criminal reports and promises they will work on case (Radio KiM)

Gracanica mayor Ljiljana Subaric spoke this morning with Kosovo police station commander in Gracanica Bratislav Trajkovic and police investigator following the last night’s incident in which group of Albaninas blocked the traffic, chanted “Kosova, Kosova”, waved Albanian flags and provoked residents in Gracanica, Radio KIM reported.

Subaric told the media after the meeting that the police promised they will work on the case, that they filed several criminal reports against persons who took part in the incident. She also said last night they did not receive a response from police responsible for the security in Gracanica and that is why they came this morning again to seek those responses.

“First question is if someone was arrested last night, if someone would be sentenced and brought to justice. Second question is who was responsible for maintaining security in Gracanica yesterday and if there will be any proceedings launched against these persons, and the third question was our demand that police have some operational plan for the future events so things like this never happen again”, Subaric said.

Asked how people react to the incident from last night, Subaric said they are disturbed, afraid and anxious, adding that what happened last night is a drop which overflew the glass. She warned that the incident from last night could have escalated, and that they spoke with young Serbs, called on them to be restrained, even separated them into small groups to prevent the situation from escalating.

Serbian Democracy on the last night's incident in Gracanica: A serious threat to peace (Kontakt plus radio)

"Last night's incident in Gracanica, where extreme ethno-nationalists stopped traffic in a convoy of cars, went wild with Albanian flags and shouted 'Kosova, Kosova', represents a serious threat to the peace and security of the Serbian community in Kosovo," Serbian Democracy announced, reported Kontakt plus radio. 

''On the footage recorded by journalists, members of the special units can be clearly seen with the markings of the Albanian flag, the inscriptions "Punisher", and symbols of the KLA''.

That, they point out, sends a dangerous and provocative message to the Serbian people.

The party added that the convoy of vehicles stopped in front of Serbian shrines, including the monument to Milos Obilic, while some citizens reported attempts of burning the Serbian flag.

"Such acts clearly indicate an organized provocation aimed at intimidating the Serbian community and disrupting the peace in an environment with a majority Serbian population," the statement said.

They emphasized that the fact that the incident lasted for about 15 minutes only 300 meters from the police station, without a timely and adequate reaction of the Kosovo police, was particularly worrying.

"The presence of special units with symbols that glorify ethno-nationalism further deepens the feeling of insecurity among the Serbian population and indicates the selective approach of Kosovo institutions," they noted.

This party called on the international community and the embassies in Pristina to exert pressure on the Kosovo authorities to ensure the safety of the Serbian community and to sanction those responsible for this incident.

Also, they demand the urgent deployment of KFOR in all Serbian areas, to ensure peace, and "prevent provocations and protect the Serbian community from further attacks and intimidation."

"The Serbian community in Kosovo has the right to a safe and dignified life, devoid of such incidents. We expect urgent and decisive measures to ensure security, stability, and respect for the rights of all citizens!" concluded Serbian Democracy.

Rada Trajkovic: Where did the honour and good-neighbour relations disappear? (social media)

Politician and leader of the Serb European Movement from Kosovo Rada Trajkovic took to X to react to the last night’s incident in Gracanica in which a group of men blocked the traffic, honked the horns, chanted “Kosova, Kosova” and waved Albanian flags as well as to the defacement of a mural in Mitrovica North centre honouring members of the Army of Serbia and Montenegro who fought in Kosare battle during the conflict.

“Provoking and terrorizing Serbs in Gracanica from a convoy of vehicles, desecration of a mural in Mitrovica North which insults no one…Is this a way to celebrate an Albanian Flag Day in a multi-ethnic Kosovo? Where did the honor and good-neighbour relations disappear?”, Trajkovic wrote in a post on X. 

Residents of Gracanica: We are disturbed, provocations are not needed in this troubled time (Kosovo Online)

Residents of Gracanica pointed out that they were upset after last night's incident, when a convoy of cars with the flags of the KLA and Albania, from which various shouts and slogans were heard, stopped the traffic, warning that such and similar provocations are unnecessary in this troubled time, Kosovo Online reported. 

Resident of Gracanica Dusan Borisavljevic, who found himself on the street last night, pointed out that the scene was not pleasant.

"There is no need for provocations now that the times are like this. I believe that it is unnecessary and that all this is a whim of a few, young or not. I was on the street when they passed, it was not pleasant. It will never be pleasant to experience something like that," Borisavljevic said.

Bosiljka Dancetovic from Gracanica said that after everything, the Gracanica residents should think about how it will be in the future.

"It's normal for us to be upset when something like that happens to us. We think about our future and what it will be like. What they did was not nice," she said.

Zarko Martinovic said that after those events, the children were scared, as well as the elderly.

"We are all upset, we didn't expect them to come and cause such problems. It's okay that they passed with the flag, but they got out of the car and provoked... Children and the elderly are scared," said Martinovic.

Velebit: “Kurti uses political vacuum before Trump comes to power, escalation in intimidating Serbs to be expected” (Kosovo Online)

Pupin Initiative Executive Director Vuk Velebit said the cases of human rights violations affecting the Serbs by Kosovo police and their, as he said, ethnically motivated actions are becoming frequent as Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti attempts to use political vacuum before Donald Trump takes over as US President.

“The intention of the Pristina administration is to reinforce its dominance and control over the north by constructing police bases. The only goal of those new bases is to intimidate Serbs”, Velebit said. He also warned that Kurti’s actions until January 20 before Trump takes over as US president would go in the direction of further escalation.

“He will try to use political vacuum until the arrival of the new US administration, as it is expected that the new administration would have more understanding for the position of the Serbian community in Kosovo and that their approach would be more favourable to the Serbs. I do not expect a radical shift of US policy towards the Balkans, but I expect that the new administration would move from a policy of public statements to the policy of concrete actions to sanction Kurti’s acts. The interest of the US in the Balkans is peace, and Kurti goes against it, because he is anti-American”, Velebit added.

New Social Initiative Executive Director Jovana Radosavljevic said that Albin Kurti wants to “expel and physically relocate the Serbs from Kosovo to central Serbia, and the only thing he has to offer to his constituencies are actions in the north”. She added Kurti demonstrated that with ban on dinar and Serbian goods, closure of the Serbian institutions. She also said Serbs do not trust Kosovo police and that the local population feels intimidated. She expressed concerns that further escalatory actions of Pristina are to be expected and linked them with upcoming elections. 

Rohde: European draft of CSM Statute an official document; Kosovo must fulfil its legal obligations (Kosovo Online)

German Ambassador in Pristina Jorn Rohde said in an interview with Pristina-based RTV 21 that the European draft statute of Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) is an official document for Germany. He emphasized Pristina is obligated to fulfil all its legal commitments, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Rohde noted Kosovo had been tasked with certain obligations and is expected to fulfil them within the framework of the EU-led dialogue for the normalization of relations, particularly the formation of the CSM.

"If there is doubt about its constitutionality, send it to the Constitutional Court for review. That hasn’t happened so far, which does not lead to progress", Rohde said.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/L2VsF

Gogic: Kurti wants to reduce the CSM to the Association of Kosovo Municipalities, but the CSM has additional powers (Kosovo Online)

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic told Kosovo Online that Kosovo PM Albin Kurti has shifted his rhetoric and taken a step forward compared to his earlier stances when he stated that "he cannot create the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) because it is not within the competence of the executive branch," as by saying this, Kurti acknowledged that the CSM can be established but emphasized that it is not his role as Prime Minister to initiate its formation.

According to Gogic, there was "a grain of truth" in Kurti's statement, but he also pointed out that the formation of the CSM was impossible without cooperation from the Government of Kosovo.

Gogic further explained that Kurti aimed to downgrade the CSM to the existing Association of Kosovo Municipalities, but this could not be the case since the agreements specified that the CSM has additional powers delegated to it by the central government.

“From a legal standpoint, the CSM is not formed by the Government of Kosovo but by the Constituent Assembly of the CSM, which consists of councilors from ten majority-Serb municipalities in Kosovo. The Constituent Assembly adopts the Statute, thereby establishing the Community. However, for the Community to be incorporated into Kosovo's legal framework, another document is needed, and that is a decree from the Government of Kosovo. According to the 2015 agreement, the Government of Kosovo should issue a decree confirming the CSM's Statute and granting it additional powers, transferring certain competencies from the central level to the Community. It is a two-way process where both municipalities and the central government delegate powers to the CSM,” Gogic said.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4mf87b69

Explosion in Zvecan: Explosive device thrown, increased police presence (N1, KoSSev)

An explosive device was thrown near the Zvecan municipal administration building in northern Kosovo around midnight, the Kosovo police confirmed, N1 reported.

According to Zubinpotok.info, the blast caused damage to the building, though no injuries were reported. Police cordoned off at least two entrances to the municipal administration building with yellow tape following the incident. The KoSSev news outlet reported an increased presence of Kosovo police forces, including special units, in front of the building and surrounding area.  

Svecla accuses ''criminal groups directed by Belgrade'' for last night's explosion in Zvecan while investigation is ongoing (KoSSev)

KoSSev recalled that last night the Zvecan municipality building was damaged most probably due to the explosion of a hand grenade. The investigation is ongoing, and the perpetrators are still unknown to the police. And while the investigation is ongoing, the head of the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs already knows - the perpetrators are part of "criminal groups directed by Belgrade".

Svecla: Belgrade's directing

And while the investigation has just been launched, and the perpetrators are still unknown to the police, Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, already knows that the attacks were organized by the regime in Belgrade.

"Attacks in recent days on institutions in the north are an expression of the desperation and arrogance of criminal groups directed by Belgrade," says Svecla. 

"At a time when they're getting dismembered more and more, they're desperate to show they're still there and strong. But we are more determined than ever to completely eliminate every criminal and terrorist group in our country."

"We say openly what we have repeatedly said during these four years: The time of impunity and amnesty for criminal gangs is over. Constitutionality, legality, law, and order will work at every corner, because no one can stop the freedom and rights of citizens with the fear of terrorism".

Kurti: An expression of the impotence of certain criminals

On the other hand, Kosovo PM Albin Kurti commented on the explosion in Zvecan in a similar tone, according to the media.

He said that the attacks are only aimed at "spreading fear", and that it is "an expression of the impotence of certain criminals".

"Of course, there are criminals, but the criminal structures have either fled to Serbia or are in prison in Kosovo. We have no internal sources of potential instability that we cannot control and that we cannot face. These actions are an expression of their powerlessness, acts of terror, aimed at spreading fear," Kurti said, according to Zeri, reported KoSSev.

In Kosovo, says Kurti, there are neither individuals nor structures "that are more powerful than the independent state of Kosovo, which always wins thanks to the just law".