Pristina Court fined those detained at Gazimestan €700 each, deportation for individuals without Kosovo documents

The Basic Court in Pristina has fined each of the 36 people detained at Gazimestan during the Vidovdan commemoration €700, payable within 15 days, while those without Kosovo-issued documents will be deported from Kosovo. They will also be banned from entering Kosovo for three years.

The judge presiding over the misdemeanor proceedings stated that they were found responsible because they had "chanted nationalist slogans at Gazimestan: 'Kosovo is Serbia,' while raising three fingers."

The verdict was attended by Montenegro's Ambassador to Kosovo, Bernard Cobaj, as well as representatives of international missions.

Those detained at Gazimestan appeared before the Basic Court in Pristina on June 29, where they pleaded not guilty.

On June 28, the Kosovo Police stated that the detainees had provoked those gathered by shouting provocative slogans containing elements of incitement to hatred, thereby violating legal provisions.

Serbia's Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced that it would inform all international representatives about the detentions, describing the action as a shameful and outrageous act of repression by Albin Kurti's regime.

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) told Kosovo Online that it had monitored, and continues to monitor, the activities carried out by the Kosovo authorities in connection with the Vidovdan celebration.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo also told our portal that it had monitored developments during the Vidovdan commemoration through its regular observation activities and engagement with partners and institutions.

"We are aware of reports containing allegations of the mistreatment of detainees, as well as identity checks and extensive searches of media representatives. Law enforcement measures should be necessary, proportionate, and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including media freedom and legal safeguards. Allegations of misconduct or abuse of authority should be addressed through the appropriate mechanisms, including the Kosovo Police Inspectorate and, where relevant, the Ombudsperson Institution," the OSCE said.