Dacic: Attack on Serbian graduate a brutal and unacceptable act by a Kosovo Police Officer

Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dacic stated today that the arrest warrant issued by the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Kosovo police officer who attacked a Serbian high school graduate in North Mitrovica is important from the standpoint of the state's institutional response. He emphasized that the officer will be arrested when and if he becomes accessible to Serbian authorities, RTV reports.

Dacic stressed that an arrest warrant does not expire.

“Given that in some cases individuals are not accessible to our authorities, it is important to know that whenever they become accessible in the future, they will be arrested,” Dacic told TV Prva.

He highlighted the importance of issuing the warrant:
“At the moment when he becomes accessible to Serbia’s state institutions, he will be arrested,” said Dacic, adding that investigative authorities, prosecutors, and others should determine the severity and legal classification of the offense.

Dacic reminded the public that the physical assault was directed at a Serbian high school student celebrating graduation, and noted that there can be no justification for the act, even if the student was displaying the three-finger salute. He pointed out that when symbols of "Greater Albania" are shown by others, there is no reaction.

“This was a brutal attack in and of itself because it was committed against a child. When the police act toward children, that is already brutal — especially when done in this manner,” Dacic emphasized.

He criticized Kosovo’s Minister of Interior, who claimed the officer did not attack the student but merely restrained him. Dacic responded that if Serbian police treated a student or high schooler in central Serbia in the same way, they would be accused of strangling them.

He added that Belgrade is waiting to see whether authorities who do have access to the Kosovo officer will take any action.

“As far as the Kosovo police are concerned, we’ve seen nothing come from them. Regarding some international actors in Kosovo and Metohija, there were a few condemnatory statements. But overall, we always face a wall of silence or justification, and that sends a very bad message to the Serbian people living in Kosovo and Metohija,” Dacic said.

He pointed out that the attack happened in a part of Kosovo inhabited exclusively by Serbs and recalled that, according to the Brussels Agreement, the police composition in that area should reflect the ethnic makeup of the local population.

“But instead, we have a completely degenerated situation in Kosovo and Metohija, and that’s why incidents like this occur and why they deserve condemnation. What’s important to us is that our state institutions have clearly declared this act unacceptable and that it will be punished,” Dacic stated.

He concluded by saying that Serbia must continue to fight for and support the Serbs in Kosovo, and that the Serbian state fully stands behind them and helps them in every possible way.