Kosovo Police enters Zvecan municipality building; uses tear gas and stun grenades against gathered Serbs

Source: Kosovo Online

Kosovo Police officers surrounded municipal buildings in Zubin Potok, Zvecan, and Leposavic this morning, followed by the sounding of alarm sirens.

Residents from these cities, visibly disturbed by these events, have started to gather around the municipal buildings, with KFOR and EULEX members and jeeps present in the immediate vicinity.

17:30 Situation in northern Kosovo currently calm but tense

The current situation in the municipalities in northern Kosovo, which were raided by the Kosovo Police Special Units members today, is calm but extremely tense, a Kosovo Online correspondent reports.

17:10 Strong police forces in front of the Zvecan municipality building

Kosovo Police members are deployed in front of the Zvecan municipality building. Following today's raid with tear gas and stun grenades, the newly elected mayor, Ilir Peci, entered the building accompanied by the police.

16:40 Leposavic city center engulfed in tear gas smoke

Kosovo Police members entered the municipality building in Leposavic using a large amount of deployed tear gas and stun grenades. The entire city center is filled with smoke.

16:15 Ongoing raid into the Leposavic municipality building

Following the raids into the municipality buildings in Zvecan and Zubin Potok, members of the Kosovo Police are currently forcefully entering the municipality building in Leposavic. According to a Kosovo Online reporter, tear gas and shock bombs have been deployed.

16:00 Tear gas deployed in the churchyard

During the operation of entering the municipality building in Zvecan, the Kosovo Police also deployed tear gas in the churchyard of St. George and in front of the Health Center in this town.

15:50 Police also entered the Zubin Potok municipality building

Kosovo Police also entered the Zubin Potok municipality building, where citizens had gathered in an attempt to prevent their entry.

15:16 Dr. Radomirovic: Assistance provided to the injured at the Clinical Hospital Center Mitrovica

Deputy Director of the Clinical Hospital Center Kosovska Mitrovica, Dr. Danica Radomirovic, confirmed to Kosovo Online that around ten people have been admitted with injuries from stun grenades and tear gas, as well as injuries from physical assaults during the raid of Kosovo Police members into the Zvecan municipality building. All of them have received medical assistance and have minor injuries.

15:10 Armored vehicles on the streets

After the Kosovo Police entered the municipality building using tear gas and stun grenades, armored vehicles are patrolling the streets of Zvecan.

15:00 KFOR troops in Zvecan

KFOR troops are present in Zvecan but are currently keeping a distance and have not responded to the events in the city after the Kosovo Police entered the municipality building using tear gas and stun grenades.

14:50 Multiple injured received at KBC Mitrovica

Several citizens who suffered injuries from stun grenades and tear gas have been admitted to Clinical Hospital Center Mitrovica (KBC) following the incidents in Zvecan.

14:43 Citizens set up blockades in front of the Leposavic Municipality

At the intersection leading to the Leposavic Municipality, citizens have set up barricades. Gravel has been unloaded, blocking a section of the road.

14:20 Column of armored police vehicles enters Zvecan

Armored vehicles from the special units of the Kosovo Police have entered Zvecan.

14:15 Police vehicle set on fire in Zvecan

Videos and photographs of burning vehicles in Zvecan have appeared on social media. The vehicles set on fire include those belonging to the Kosovo Police as well as one civilian car.

14:10 KSF markings on police officers' helmets

Among the Kosovo Police officers who surrounded the Zvecan municipality building and subsequently entered using tear gas, there were some who had KSF (Kosovo Security Force) markings on their helmets.

13:40 Police used stun grenades against gathered Serbs; entered the municipality building

Members of the Kosovo Police entered the Zvecan municipality building, using both tear gas and stun grenades. Gunfire was also heard at one point.

13:30 Armored vehicle and barricade-breaking vehicle in Zvecan

On one side of the street leading to the municipality building in Leposavic, a truck has been placed as a barrier. Behind the truck, there is an armored vehicle of the Kosovo Police and a barricade-breaking vehicle. The gathered citizens are expressing discontent.

13:15 Police deploy tear gas

Kosovo Police members have deployed tear gas in front of the municipality building in Zvecan to disperse the gathered Serbs.

12:50 PM: Serbs gather in front of the municipality building in Zvecan

Serbs in Zvecan have begun to gather in front of the municipality building. The situation is calm, but there is noticeable unease among the people due to the presence of Kosovo Police officers.