KFOR: We were not involved in police operation near the village of Vuca, conducted separate patrol

KFOR was not involved in the Kosovo Police operation in the village of Vuca near Leposavic, and the KFOR vehicles present in the area were conducting a separate patrol in coordination with the police, NATO’s mission in Kosovo told Kosovo Online regarding the incident in Vuca, when police opened fire during the identification of Serbs.

“KFOR was not involved in the action. KFOR vehicles were in the area and were carrying out a separate patrol activity, in coordination with the Kosovo Police. Therefore, we refer you to the Kosovo Police for any further comments, also bearing in mind that the specific action falls within the scope of law enforcement, which is outside KFOR’s mandate,” KFOR’s response to Kosovo Online stated.

They added that KFOR periodically participates in coordinated patrols with the Kosovo Police, but that these activities are carried out by both organizations independently and within their respective mandates, in a predetermined area, with the aim of “maximizing presence, efficiency, and effectiveness for the benefit of the local population.”

KFOR reiterated that it continues to carry out its mandate—based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999—to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities in Kosovo and to ensure freedom of movement, at all times and impartially, and that the Mission works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and EULEX in their roles as security forces.

On Sunday, an incident occurred in the village of Vuca near Leposavic in which Kosovo Police detained one young Serb man, while another fled but later turned himself in at a police station.

A group of young men had been on an outing near the village, and when they ran out of supplies, two of them drove toward nearby stores. On the way, they were stopped by a police patrol near the village. Alongside the stationary Kosovo Police patrol was also a KFOR patrol.

Police officers sought to identify them and take their mobile phones, but fearing for his safety, one of the young men ran into the forest. At that moment, police officers fired an automatic weapon in the direction of the forest.