The Kosovo Police has initiated investigations after unknown individuals in North Mitrovica distributed various leaflets that make “calls for resistance” and “incite hatred”. The main Serbian party in Kosovo has stated that such actions attempt to blame Serbs “for possible new incidents”.

In the regular 24-hour report, the Police stated that the leaflets were distributed at the entrances of buildings and on various streets.

Deputy Director of the police for the northern region, Veton Elshani, told Radio Free Europe that these leaflets were suspected to have been distributed “yesterday during and after the protest”.

“There are no suspects or arrests,” said Elshani.

The leaflets, signed by “National Defense”, distributed through various channels on Telegram, contain alleged instructions for resistance against the Kosovo Police. Among other things, these leaflets state that the Kosovo Police should be targeted with some means, police officers should be spat on and insulted. Then, police cars should be smashed with some means, and instructions on how to make Molotov cocktails and similar items are given.

The Serb List, the main party of Serbs in Kosovo enjoying the support of official Belgrade, has called on citizens in the north “not to fall victim to such provocations”.

According to this party, whoever has taken these actions aims to undermine peace and deepen instability “so that Serbs could be blamed for possible new incidents”.

In North Mitrovica on February 12, Serbs protested against the decision of the Kosovo authorities to ban the use of the Serbian dinar for payments.

Protesters demanded the annulment of a regulation by the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK), which came into force on February 1, which stipulates that only the euro should be the currency for payments.

Several hours after the protest, the CBK announced the extension of the transition phase for the implementation of this regulation, which cannot last longer than three months. Previously, this transitional phase was said to last throughout February.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has stated that the CBK’s decision does not imply the banning of the dinar or the cessation of support that Serbia provides to Serbs in Kosovo through the dinar.

The CBK regulation on cash operations has been criticized by the international community, arguing that the decision was made without prior consultations.

International actors have urged Kosovo to postpone the implementation of the regulation, saying that more time is needed for the Serbian community to adapt to the decision.

The National Bank of Serbia has been sending dinars to a safe deposit box in the municipality of Leposavic in north Kosovo for years, and they are then transported by the international company Henderson.

The CBK has stated that such a practice is illegal, as only it can export and import currencies and banknotes within the territory of Kosovo.

Kosovo authorities require Serbs in Kosovo to open accounts in one of the licensed commercial banks.

The Serbian state can then initiate funds in dinars, but they are automatically converted into euros on the way.

Meanwhile, in north Kosovo, predominantly inhabited by Serbs, graffiti with messages “When the army returns to Kosovo, the Northern Brigade lives” appeared days ago.

The Northern Brigade, along with Civil Defense, are organizations designated as terrorist organizations by the Government of Kosovo in 2023.

It is believed that these two organizations operate in north Kosovo and count hundreds of members from the Serbian community.