The Director of the Kosovo Police, Gazmend Hoxha, addressed the media on developments in northern Kosovo, where a Kosovo police officer is now facing an international arrest warrant issued by Serbia. The officer is accused of using force against a Serbian high school graduate during a graduation parade in North Mitrovica.
Hoxha stated that this case is part of Serbia’s ongoing campaign to persecute Kosovo Police officials and confirmed that the officer in question has received death threats.
He emphasized that allegations of violence against the minor are baseless, saying that no signs of physical abuse were found—only marker drawings on the student’s body.
“In the media, a person was shown claiming excessive force was used by the police officer. In the part where blood was allegedly seen, it turned out to be colored drawings. Even the student himself, during his statement at the police station in the presence of his parent, confirmed it was done with markers, adding that it’s a graduation tradition. The student had no signs of injuries on his neck. Based on facts and evidence, the claims that the student was bloodied by the police do not hold,” said Hoxha.
He added that this is part of Serbia’s continuous pressure on the Kosovo Police.
“The officer has been transferred to South Mitrovica to avoid any potential incidents,” Hoxha added, also announcing increased security measures following threats received by the involved officer.
Meanwhile, Serbia has issued an international arrest warrant for the Kosovo police officer over his intervention during Friday’s graduation parade of Serbian students in North Mitrovica.
Serbian Minister of Interior Ivica Dačić stated, “The officer will be arrested whenever possible, and the arrest warrant will not be withdrawn.”
The incident has sparked outrage in Serbia. On Saturday, a protest was held in Novi Sad in support of the Serbian graduates in Kosovo. Organized by University of Novi Sad students, the protest carried the slogan: “With dignity, courage, and solidarity.” Protesters carried banners and chanted slogans like: “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” and “For freedom of speech, against repression and oppression. When institutions are silent, students are not.”
EULEX Head Giovanni Pietro Barbano also reacted strongly, saying he was “deeply disturbed by the incident” and condemned “the excessive use of force by the Kosovo police officer against the youth in North Mitrovica.”
In contrast, Kosovo’s Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, defended the officer’s action, calling it justified and professional.
“The intervention was professional and necessary to prevent the escalation of the situation following provocations by some students,” said Sveçla, who also released a video showing students singing the Serbian nationalist song “Vidovdan” and chanting “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” near the main bridge in North Mitrovica.
The Kosovo Police reported that the graduation parade concluded without major incidents.
