A commemorative plaque was unveiled today on the new pedestrian bridge in Mitrovica in memory of the 10 Albanian civilians killed by the “Bridge Guards” during the night of February 3–4, 2000. The victims, local authorities note, were targeted solely because of their ethnic identity.
Faton Peci, Mayor of South Mitrovica, emphasized the significance of remembering the atrocity:
“They were killed only because they were Albanian. On this bridge, we want to convey a message that even after Kosovo’s liberation, blood had to be shed for freedom in the north of the country.”
In addition to the plaque unveiling, a photo exhibition documenting the tragic events of that night was opened at the Mitrovica Cultural Center. Commemorative activities will conclude at 12:30 PM at the new bridge, where candles will be lit in honor of the victims and in remembrance of the suffering endured by the Albanian community that night.
The memorial serves as a reminder of the ongoing importance of reconciliation, historical memory, and the acknowledgment of human rights violations during Kosovo’s post-war period.
