The incident yesterday afternoon in the city of Skenderaj, which injured the head of the Vetëvendosje branch, Deputy Minister Hysni Mehani, and activist Bahri Zabeli, sparked tensions in the evening between the police and citizens in the city after the deployment of the Special Unit. Vetëvendosje claimed that its members were attacked by the mayor of Skenderaj, Sami Lushtaku, who denied it, saying that the citizens reacted after the call “Sami Serbia”. Police announced that two people were arrested in this case, while two others, including Lushtaku, were invited for interview, who until the announcement said that they did not respond to the call.
Citizens of Skenderaj took to the streets last night to oppose the presence of the Kosovo Police Special Unit after linking it to the incident involving Mayor Lushtaku and Deputy Minister Mehani.
The Director of Police for the Mitrovica region, Afërdita Mikullovci, said that the deployment of the Special Unit was a routine and operational matter, related to regular police checks and activities.
But this version was not accepted by the citizens, who saw the police presence as political pressure.
Former MP Ganimete Musliu came to the forefront of the citizens, demanding an explanation from the police as to why they happened there.
She called the police to get answers about this.
"Part of the Special Unit only has an operational plan because summer is approaching and there is more vehicle traffic, it's nothing to worry about," the official said on the phone, which Musliu had set to loud so that the media present could also record it.
However, Musliu took this response as "a mockery of the citizens of Skenderaj".
In addition to her, the deputy mayor of Skenderaj, Fadil Nura, also reacted to the situation, describing it as a "curfew atmosphere".
"Tonight, at midnight, in the "Adem Jashari" Freedom Square in Skenderaj, many can feel the weight of a heavy symbolism. Not because history is repeating itself, nor because times are the same, but because every atmosphere of tension and curfew in this city awakens memories that this country has paid dearly for. When citizens begin to feel pressure where they should feel freedom, then every government must reflect."
After several hours of tension and gathering of citizens, the Special Unit and other police forces left Skenderaj in the early hours of the morning, while citizens warned of further reactions during the day.
This morning, a reaction came from the chairman of the PDK, Bedri Hamza, who said that last night "we saw scenes that were not good at all."
He said that the Kosovo Police, by order of the Government, sent special units to Drenica "with a background of pressure and a demonstration of force."
Hamza also left a message for the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.
"I urge the acting prime minister to stop the propaganda, stop the hatred and, above all, immediately stop the provocations and misuse of the state for his own party scenarios. He cannot prevent the abandonment by voters with dangerous divisive scenarios. Stop, Albin," Hamza wrote.
He called on PDK voters and all citizens to remain calm and focus on June 7th.
"There we will give our response to the politics of division by vote."
Meanwhile, the KLA War Veterans Organization has invited a press conference, which is expected to be held at the organization's offices in Skenderaj from 10:30.
Regarding yesterday's incident, the Basic Prosecution Office in Mitrovica issued a statement explaining the actions they have taken.
"The Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica informs the public that regarding today's case in Skenderaj, where as a result of a physical attack, two persons with the initials HM and BZ suffered minor bodily injuries, the acting prosecutor of the Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica stayed in Skenderaj throughout the day, where together with the police, relevant evidence regarding the case was collected. Also, five (5) witnesses were interviewed in the capacity of victims HM and BZ, as well as two (2) suspects with the initials EL and BN, who, by decision of the prosecutor, were taken into custody for forty-eight (48) hours, on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of "Minor bodily injury". Meanwhile, two (2) other suspects in this case with the initials SL and KH, have not responded to the invitation for an interview until now," the prosecution said yesterday.
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