Kosovo Police intervened at a gathering in the Technical School in North Mitrovica after receiving information that the event was part of Serbia’s pre-election campaign. More than 200 people were reportedly present, including representatives of the Serb List, as Kosovo authorities reiterated that Serbian election campaign activities would not be permitted on the country’s territory.
Serbia is preparing for snap parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25, with campaign-related activities also reportedly being attempted in northern Kosovo.
Veton Elshani, deputy director of the Kosovo Police for the northern region, said officers intervened after receiving information that a political campaign event was taking place in the school’s amphitheater.
“We considered that the information we received yesterday indicated that a pre-election campaign had already begun and was being held in the amphitheater of the Technical School here in North Mitrovica,” Elshani said.
He explained that officers found approximately 200 people inside the venue. Although they were told the gathering concerned education, police information indicated that it was connected to Serbia’s election campaign.
“The people were asked to leave, and we had no problems,” Elshani said.
According to Elshani, those present included Serb List lawmakers, among them Igor Simić, as well as senior party official Ivan Zaporozhac and others. The Serb List maintains close political ties with former Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
Elshani stressed that Kosovo Police had received clear instructions from their superiors not to allow Serbian election campaign activities to take place in Kosovo.
“What is important to say is that we have instructions from our superiors that Serbia’s election campaign will not be allowed in Kosovo,” he emphasized.
The incident comes as Serbia approaches its October 25 parliamentary elections and amid reported efforts by political representatives linked to Belgrade to organize activities in northern Kosovo.
Elshani warned that further attempts to bring Serbia’s election campaign into Kosovo would prompt a response from the police and the country’s institutions.
