UNMIK: Allegations of misconduct by Kosovo Police officers must be thoroughly investigated

Allegations of misconduct by Kosovo Police officers must be subject to a thorough, independent and impartial investigation, with full respect for due process, the UNMIK spokesperson said in response to a question from Kosovo Online regarding the decision to reinstate two police officers who had been suspended on suspicion of involvement in the alleged beating of Nenad Raskovic from the village of Dren near Zubin Potok.

“The manner in which cases of this nature are handled contributes significantly to public confidence in law enforcement institutions, as well as to trust within the communities themselves. UNMIK encourages transparency regarding the outcome of the investigation and will continue to closely monitor the situation,” the Mission said in its response to Kosovo Online.

The United Nations Mission in Kosovo also noted that all questions concerning the status of the investigation should be addressed to the Kosovo Police Inspectorate.

Erduan Balici, Head of the Operational Planning and Assessment Unit, confirmed to Kosovo Online yesterday that the two police officers who had previously been suspended on suspicion of involvement in the alleged beating of Nenad Raskovic from the village of Dren near Zubin Potok had returned to duty.

“The suspension previously imposed by the Kosovo Police Inspectorate has expired. For any additional information, you must contact the KPI in Pristina,” Balici said.

Nenad Raskovic, a Serb from the village of Dren, was seriously injured on August 11 after, according to his account, he was beaten by Kosovo Police officers.

Raskovic was admitted to the Clinical Hospital Center in Kosovska Mitrovica but, due to the severity of his injuries, was transferred to the Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade for treatment.

Following his allegations, the Kosovo Police Inspectorate opened an ex officio investigation and subsequently recommended that the Kosovo Police suspend two officers from the Regional Police Directorate in North Mitrovica on suspicion of the criminal offense of “mistreatment in the exercise of official duties or public authority.”