KFOR on demolition of the "Jezero" motel: We encourage all sides to respect the rule of law and due process

Regarding the demolition of the "Jezero" motel at Gazivode Lake, KFOR told Kosovo Online that law enforcement activities are not part of the NATO-led mission's mandate, but that it is closely monitoring all developments that may affect security in Kosovo, while encouraging all sides to respect the rule of law and due process.

KFOR recalled that it continues to fulfil its mission of ensuring a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo, in accordance with its mandate based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 from 1999. 

"Our liaison and monitoring teams play a key role in monitoring activities. Law enforcement activities are not part of KFOR's mandate, but we carefully follow all relevant developments that may have an impact on security in Kosovo. We encourage all sides to respect the rule of law and due process," KFOR said in its response to Kosovo Online.

The "Jezero" motel was demolished yesterday after workers from the Ibar-Lepenac company, accompanied by members of the Kosovo Police, entered the premises and informed the owners that they had to leave. EULEX personnel, together with KFOR members, were present during the demolition.

Meanwhile, the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) stated that it is monitoring the case concerning the demolition of the "Jezero" motel and beach bar, but did not provide further details.

The owners of the motel, Jordan and Aleksandar Jaksic, told Kosovo Online that they did not expect the demolition to take place because they had filed a lawsuit against the Ibar-Lepenac company and the court proceedings are still ongoing.

Their lawyer, Predrag Arsic, said earlier today that the family had been served on July 14 with a request to vacate their property, which was delivered by employees of the Ibar-Lepenac company.

"The request did not refer to any document that would demonstrate the basis on which the company claims ownership rights over the Jaksic family's property.

Despite the lack of any legal basis, this did not prevent employees of the public enterprise 'Ibar-Lepenac' from using heavy machinery and police forces during the night to demolish the family's property and leave them without a home," Arsic said. He also expressed concern that such an approach by the authorities in Pristina could become a practice throughout areas inhabited by Serbs in Kosovo.

The Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija stated that the continued demolition of buildings in the municipality of Zubin Potok, specifically the private property belonging to the Jaksic family near Gazivode Lake, represents, as it said, evidence of Albin Kurti's policy aimed at the destruction, devastation, usurpation, and elimination of everything Serbian in Kosovo. 

Several non-governmental organizations from northern Kosovo also reacted, stating that the demolition of the motel, allegedly carried out on the orders of Ibar-Lepenac Director Faruk Mujka, had undermined the constitutional and legal order in Kosovo.