Radojevic: I was implementing lawful municipal decisions; Zaporozac: Police officers were extremely rough

Mayor of North Mitrovica Milan Radojevic and the President of the Municipal Assembly of North Mitrovica Ivan Zaporozac have been released from the police station.

Radojevic stressed that he was only doing his job and implementing lawful municipal decisions.

“First of all, I want to thank all the citizens who came here to greet us and welcome us. I believe that the citizens of North Mitrovica recognize the effort we are making to defend their interests. You gave us your trust and your vote to lead this city and bring the changes you want. We are aware of the weight of the task ahead of us and everything we are facing. As you have seen, we made a lawful and legitimate decision to remove that sign. A company was even hired through the municipality. Everything is completely clean and legal,” he said.

He stated that they still do not know what the prosecutor is charging them with, and that they will find out in court.

“Unfortunately, you can see that Kurti’s regime is using the police to protect illegal decisions and illegal structures. As was the case a few days ago with the installation of signs that are completely contrary to the law and to the decisions of the local assembly. And so it is this time as well, where the local self-government makes decisions, but the central level implements them through batons, boots, and the police. Our struggle continues. We know what our goal is and we are moving toward it. I believe that citizens recognize the effort and dedication, and that on Sunday they will make the right decision in the elections. We will continue to fight for the interests of the city,” Radojevic said.

Zaporozac, against whom excessive force was used during the arrest, said that the police were extremely rough with him.

“Without any provocation, we came here and did our job, all in accordance with the law and the decisions of the Municipal Assembly of North Mitrovica, as well as the mayor’s decision. We only wanted to send a political message, nothing else. They were rough, and of course we will initiate all procedures in accordance with the law and sue those who behaved contrary to the law,” he said.

Member of the Main Board of the Serb List and parliamentary candidate in the upcoming elections Igor Simic said that the order to prevent the removal of the sign in the center of North Mitrovica came from Pristina.

“Today, the police, on the order of someone from Pristina, prevented the mayor of North Mitrovica from implementing the municipal decision to remove the illegal ‘Mitrovica’ sign located on King Petar Street, at the first roundabout. So, it is a sign installed without any legal decision. It is even connected to the power grid and represents a danger to children and all citizens. On the other hand, it reduces space for pedestrians to move safely on sidewalks. Unfortunately, someone ordered that the mayor cannot implement his own decision,” Simic said.

He also added that the Serb List informed international representatives in Kosovo about the incident.

“We call on citizens for restraint and calm. We will continue to fight for respect for the law and the rights of the Serbian people. During this police action, which was unprovoked, force was used against the mayor, the assembly president, and our council members. Due to the injuries sustained by council member Sinisa Lazic, according to information from the Clinical Hospital Center Kosovska Mitrovica, he is currently in the coronary unit. He is a man with heart problems and doctors are taking care of his condition. I hope he will be fine,” Simić concluded.

A large number of citizens greeted the mayor and the assembly president as they left the station with applause and cheers.

Representatives of KFOR were also present in front of the station.

The arrest and police intervention occurred when Mayor Radojevic attempted to paint over a green heart with red spray paint, after which Kosovo police pushed the Mayor of North Mitrovica.