The Kosovo Police said they have arrested a suspect in connection to the attack on journalists in Leposavić on June 16.
According to the police, the suspect is from the Serbian community and has been identified with the initials U.V.
Authorities stated that the arrest took place in the early hours of June 19 in a village in Leposavić.
“His arrest and transfer to the police station were carried out as a result of intensive investigations and securing of evidence, proving his involvement in the attack against the media/journalists on June 16, 2023. All further actions will be taken in collaboration and coordination with the judicial authorities,” the police statement said.
This is the third person to be arrested for the attacks on journalists reporting from northern Kosovo since tensions escalated on May 26.
On June 16, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo Xhelal Sveçla announced the arrest of Nemanja Vlasković in Leposavić for the attack on journalists from the “Kallxo” media outlet on May 29.
A day later, Sveçla stated that Dalibor Spasić was also arrested at the Jarinje border crossing, which connects Kosovo with Serbia, for attacks against journalists.
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo has reported that since the escalation of tensions in the predominantly Serbian-populated northern municipalities, 30 attacks against media workers have been recorded.
Tensions in northern Kosovo have been escalating since May 26 when new Albanian mayors from the municipalities in the north entered municipal buildings with the assistance of the Kosovo Police.
Tensions reached a climax on May 29 when Serbian protesters clashed with KFOR members in Zvečan. Dozens of people from both sides were injured in the clashes.
The situation worsened on June 14 after the arrest of three Kosovo police officers. Serbia claimed that they were arrested “deep” within its territory, but Kosovo stated that they were patrolling in Kosovo’s territory near the border line with Serbia in Leposavić.
The United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom have called for the immediate release of the three police officers. The U.S. Department of State stated that “their arrest and detention without credible charges have further exacerbated an already tense situation”.
