Zoran Todic on the incident in the village of Vuca: Yet another irrational move by the Kosovo Police

Former Mayor of Leposavic Zoran Todic stated, regarding the incident yesterday afternoon in the village of Vuca when the Kosovo Police fired shots while checking the identities of Serbs, that this was yet another irrational act by the police, causing fear and insecurity among citizens.

Todic told Kosovo Online that after speaking with the Milojevic and Miladinovic families, he understood how frightened the young men had been following the use of firearms, but added that he believes the competent authorities will investigate and establish the facts.

He noted that this incident had further disturbed residents of Leposavic and beyond.

“Unfortunately, yesterday we witnessed yet another in a series of incidents in which, on one side, we had members of the Kosovo Police, and on the other, young people who cannot even go on an outing in peace without any reason for interference. Based on the information I have, which I received from one of the young men who was detained, as well as from their parents, firearms were used without any cause—something that, I was told, the police themselves admitted. This is truly alarming. The incident has caused additional fear and anxiety, not only among the parents of these young men but also among the entire Serbian population living not just in the municipality of Leposavic but in the other three municipalities in northern Kosovo,” Todic said.

He added that the young man who fled during the stop had only a phone in his hand, and that the police used firearms without any provocation.

“Without any warrant or cause, the reason one of the boys ran was that the police demanded his mobile phone, which he did not want to hand over. The boy, unprovoked, ran away, even though there was no threat or danger to the police officers. Nevertheless, firearms were used—for what purpose and in what direction, that is the question,” Todic emphasized.

He expressed particular concern over the fact that KFOR members were also present at the scene.

“It is important to note that the young men are now fine, and the other boy who fled voluntarily reported to the police station, gave a statement, and was released home shortly after midnight last night. He has visible scratches from running through the forest,” Todic said.

He pointed out that similar incidents in the past have caused fear among locals.

“Unfortunately, this is just another in a series of incidents that further instill fear among our youth and community. This is not the path toward reconciliation and a peaceful situation in our areas,” Todic stressed.

He explained that in conversation he understood how frightened Djordje had been for his friend after hearing the gunshot.

“Last night, in conversation with Djordje Milojevic, a friend of Miladinovic, he told me that when he heard the shot, he thought his friend had been killed. Thank God, it ended the way it did, but it is clear that there was gross and excessive use of force by the police,” Todic said.

Still, he believes the competent authorities will investigate the case.

“I believe the competent authorities will investigate and establish the facts, and that the police officers who unlawfully used firearms will be sanctioned. I also call on the international community to speak out and finally put an end to such actions by the Kosovo Police toward the population, especially our young people,” Todic said.

He called for tensions to be eased, even though he is aware that people have been living in very difficult circumstances for more than a decade.

“In the past, we have had a series of such incidents that do not contribute to easing tensions in our area. That is why I publicly call on the residents of our municipality, even though we live in difficult times, to remain wise, patient, and tolerant. This will not last forever, and I believe that one day such irrational moves by the Kosovo Police will be brought to an end,” Todic said.

In the village of Vuca near Leposavic yesterday, an incident occurred in which the police used firearms while checking the identities of Serbs.

According to local witnesses, a group of six young men, about twenty years old, were on an outing near the village. When they ran out of supplies, two of them drove to nearby shops in Socanica. On the way, they were stopped by a police patrol near the village. The police wanted to check their IDs and confiscate their mobile phones. Out of fear for his safety, one of the young men ran into the forest, and at that moment, according to witnesses, police officers fired an automatic rifle toward the forest.