Young men from Montenegro: Kosovo police beat us, forced us to sing “Kosovo Republic”

Montenegrin citizens Stefan Tatar, Mirko Zizic, Damjan Otasevic, Darko Asanin, and Danilo Ljutic today submitted a letter to Montenegro's Ambassador to Kosovo, Bernard Cobaj, describing what they say was torture they endured on June 28, Vidovdan, in Kosovo.

According to their account, they traveled from Montenegro to attend the liturgy at the Gracanica Monastery and subsequently the memorial service for the Kosovo heroes at Gazimestan, PGTV reports.

"Without displaying any national symbols, we peacefully and respectfully attended the memorial service. After it ended, we headed toward the exit of the memorial complex. The gathering concluded peacefully and with dignity, without any inappropriate behavior or provocation directed at the security personnel providing protection for the event. We would also point out that, apart from us pilgrims and members of the security forces, there were no other people present in the complex, particularly no Albanian civilians," the young men stated.

According to them, the incident occurred as they were leaving the complex, when security personnel unexpectedly pulled them out of the crowd, detained them, and placed them in a container where a larger number of other individuals, who were also later found to have been detained, were being held.

"They handcuffed us, tightening the handcuffs so severely that we were left with bruises on our wrists. They then forced us into a police van and took us to the police station. Even during the ride, members of the Kosovo security forces struck Damjan Culafic in the head with open-handed blows. Immediately upon our arrival at the police station, the torture of the remaining detained Montenegrin citizens began. It was carried out mainly by younger police officers, both in plain clothes and in uniform, without clear identification on their clothing," the letter states.

They further claim that Mirko Zizic was punched in the stomach without any provocation, while Danilo Ljutic was taken to a separate room, where he was beaten. He allegedly returned with visible head injuries, which, they say, were confirmed by a medical report.

"The injuries have been documented through medical reports, as well as photographs and video recordings. Throughout the entire time, the police officers insulted us with derogatory names and attempted to force us to sing 'Kosovo Republic.' After we refused, they randomly took several of the young men away, physically assaulted them, and beat them. Those who are not Montenegrin citizens also have documented injuries confirmed by medical reports," the statement continues.

They also claim that throughout the entire incident they received no assistance whatsoever, not even drinking water, contrary to the claims made by the police officers who detained them.

"We call on our state, Montenegro, to undertake all legal and other measures, both within Montenegro and before the international community, to protect our personal dignity and human rights, as well as our physical and spiritual integrity, in view of the inhumane treatment and torture to which we were subjected by the security authorities," the statement says.

They further note that they have now been in Kosovo for a third day, waiting for a decision without the documents that were confiscated from them and, as they emphasize, they have also run out of money.