Gracanica: Protest over the beating of Roma by the Kosovo Police

Members of the Roma community gathered today in Gracanica for a protest organized by the Association of Roma in Kosovo, "Opre Roma," due to the beating of Burhan Ibrahimovic by the Kosovo police.

Gathered in front of the police station, they chanted "Stop violence," "We want equal justice for all,"...

The "Opre Roma" Association claims that on August 19, Burhan Ibrahimovic was brutally beaten in the police station in Gracanica, and after being released from detention, he had to seek medical assistance.

"When we heard about this and saw it, we started investigating, and we decided to organize this protest because this is not the first time such incidents have happened in Kosovo. We have cases in Obilic where a number of Roma were also beaten inside a police station, but they are afraid to speak out. If we, as Roma, are afraid to raise our voices every day against the brutality happening against us, then we will never emerge from the shadow of brutality, from the shadow of discrimination that the state imposes on us," Sebastian Serifovic, a representative of the association, said.

According to the Roma Association, Ibrahimovic was taken to the police station to give a statement regarding a conflict with a resident of Gracanica.

They emphasize that no statement was taken from him at the police station, as he speaks only Dutch, Romani, and German, claiming that he was only fined and brutally beaten.

"The case has been initiated in the Kosovo Police Inspectorate. Burhan has received several calls from the Inspectorate, and that greatly encourages him, which means the case is ongoing," Serifovic said.

Another representative of the "Opre Roma" Association, Driton Berisha, said that today's protest was organized to seek justice for Ibrahimovic, who, as he emphasized, had faced violence.

"We want to remind the police that they are here to protect us and to help us feel safe, and they must never resort to violence. I hope this gathering has achieved that. Above all, we want this case not to be repeated, as there are many Roma who have experienced violence but have not dared to report it," Berisha said.

Police Lieutenant Naim Makolli stated that the police station in Gracanica would not comment on the case for now.

The "Opre Roma" Association has called for the involvement and support of local authorities, international organizations, the media, civil society groups, and concerned citizens to collectively advocate for justice, equality, and human rights.