Zaporozac questioned at police station: I was fined for a peaceful protest walk for the rights of Serbian children

Ivan Zaporozac, President of the Provisional Authority of Kosovska Mitrovica, was questioned today at the police station in North Mitrovica over a protest walk held on World Children’s Day.

As he stated to Kosovo Online, around 12 p.m. today, he received a phone call from officers at the North Mitrovica police station requesting him to appear for an informational interview immediately.

"I responded to the summons and was questioned for just under 30 minutes. During that time, I was issued a fine for participating in a peaceful walk aimed at raising awareness about the violation of the rights of Serbian children in Kosovo and Metohija on the occasion of International Children’s Day," Zaporozac told Kosovo Online.

Zaporozac expressed pride in being part of the protest walk.

"I am proud to have walked with my fellow citizens that day because we are well aware of how our children are targeted—suffering harassment, beatings by Kosovo police, shootings, and violations of their basic rights, with no one ever held accountable for their suffering. This is an attempt to intimidate us, to deter us from peacefully fighting for our rights, for Stefan, Milos, Nikola, Mihajlo, Dara, Kristijan, and all the other children in Kosovo and Metohija. My place was with my fellow citizens that day, as both a human being and, especially, as a parent. I am proud of that, and this fine will not deter me from fighting for a better future for all children in this region," Zaporozac stated.