Swiss journalist and publicist of Albanian origin Enver Robelli has called for an urgent investigation into allegations by the Serbian List that a Kosovo Serb, Nenad Rašković, was seriously abused by members of the Kosovo Police in the Dren area.
Robelli said that if Kosovo Police officers are found to have been involved, responsibility should extend to the highest levels of command. At the same time, he warned that the Serbian List should face consequences if its allegations prove to be false.
The comments came after the Serbian List published photographs it said showed the aftermath of severe abuse allegedly suffered by Rašković at the hands of Kosovo Police officers.
“Given that the Serbian List is a political-paramilitary organization directly controlled by the intelligence services of Belgrade, every claim it makes should be treated with the utmost caution, including the photographs published tonight, which allegedly show a Serb who was severely abused by the Kosovo Police,” Robelli said, while acknowledging that the images were disturbing.
Robelli stressed that the case must be investigated without delay and that any wrongdoing should be addressed regardless of who is responsible.
“The case must be clarified as soon as possible and without any hesitation, with all the consequences that may follow. If the Kosovo Police is involved in this case, accountability should reach the highest levels of responsibility and command,” he said.
However, Robelli also issued a warning to the Serbian List, saying that it should not expect leniency if the allegations are ultimately found to have been fabricated.
“If the Serbian List lied to the public by reproducing a new ‘Đorđe Martinović’ case, it should not expect mercy. Those who play with fire should not be surprised if they get burned,” he said, according to Kosovo-based media outlet Kossev.
The allegations have emerged amid heightened scrutiny of Kosovo Police operations in northern Kosovo. The police have denied that officers used force against Rašković, while the Kosovo Police Inspectorate is investigating the circumstances surrounding the case.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to determine whether Rašković was subjected to unlawful violence and whether any police officers were involved.
