The Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Xhelal Svecla, said that the security situation in the north of Kosovo has worsened. Therefore, he said that they are waiting for KFOR to act as soon as possible, but added that if this does not happen, Kosovo will remove the barricades itself.

“They [KFOR] have been asking for some time to remove the barricades. We are now waiting for them to fulfill this commitment. But, after 13 days have passed and we have police officers trapped in the Jarinje and Leposavic police stations, the days that are being counted are coming to an end. I believe that KFOR and the entire international factor will do their utmost to do this as soon as possible. But, for the sake of greater stability, we are waiting for this to be done by those who set up the barricades or KFOR. But the wait has its end”, said Svecla.

He made these comments during a media conference in Mitrovica, saying that the conditions of the Serbs, presented for the removal of the barricades, are instigated by Serbia and are to achieve political goals.

Svecla also rejected claims that the Kosovo Police have lists through which they are arresting former Serbian police officers. He said that Serbia is carrying out a disinformation campaign regarding the tensions in the north of Kosovo, inhabited by a majority of Serbs.

“An untruth that is continuously being used is related to the news that the Kosovo Police has lists on which it is arresting former police officers. The Kosovo Police does not have such lists, there is no list even for persecution, and even less for the murder of Serbian citizens. This is the logic that Serbia has nurtured historically. So, the list is made by those who also killed Oliver Ivanović, oppress and mistreat the Serbs who are disobedient to Belgrade”, he said.