On May 15, 2025, Kosovo Police launched a broad operation, shutting down several buildings in North Mitrovica previously controlled by parallel Serbian structures and returning them to the administration of the legitimate institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.
One of the key sites was a four-story building on “Kollashini” Street, which housed the so-called Institute for Sports, Youth and Specialized Services, the Sports Association, and the Cultural-Artistic Society “Kosova Bozhur.” Inside, authorities found nationalist Serbian symbols, including a Serbian flag with a message urging citizens to display it visibly in their homes.
The message attached to the flag read:
“At this moment, the entire north of Kosovo must be decorated with the Serbian flag. Therefore, hang the symbol of our statehood – our flag – in a visible place in your home, so we show the whole world which country we live in, what we are fighting for, and how strong we are.”
Acting Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, confirmed the closure of the Sports Center in North Mitrovica, stating that these facilities were not only far from their stated purpose, but were also “sponsored by crime, particularly by businesses linked to top criminal Milan Radoičić.” Radoičić, who remains under U.S. Treasury sanctions, is also accused of orchestrating the terrorist attack in Banjska.
The Mayor of North Mitrovica, Erden Atiq, reported that several formerly occupied facilities were reclaimed, including:
- The four-story building on Kollashini Street
- The City Museum on Lole Ribar Street
- The Sports Center near the former Remont facility
Atiq emphasized that the aim of these actions was to re-establish legality, strengthen local institutions, and restore public spaces for community service, fostering a shared and secure future for all residents.
