The demolition of 11 holiday homes near Lake Ujman on Tuesday was not the first such action carried out in the area at the request of the public company “Ibër-Lepenc,” which claims ownership over the land where the buildings were constructed.
The company has initiated similar actions since April, seeking to reclaim properties it says belong to it along the lake’s shoreline. In the first phase, five holiday homes were demolished in Çeçevë, while on June 10, with the assistance of Kosovo Police, “Ibër-Lepenc” took control of the “Rezala” tourist camp, claiming evidence that the site was located on its parcels.
The owner of the camp reportedly challenged the move, stating that the property had been purchased in 2013 and that the dispute was already being addressed through legal proceedings.
The latest demolitions have also triggered a dispute between “Ibër-Lepenc” and the owners of the holiday homes, who claim they possess documentation proving their right to use the properties. One of the owners said that the buildings had documentation obtained from the Serbian state forestry company “Srbijashume” in 2006.
“Construction of some houses began in 2007, others later, while some were never completed. There are 11 facilities in total. ‘Ibër-Lepenc’ submitted this request now, while the issue is being handled by the cadastre regarding Kosovo’s forests,” the owner said, questioning why and how “Ibër-Lepenc” took control of the area.
On July 3, “Ibër-Lepenc” sent official notices to the owners, giving them 15 days to vacate the properties, remove the structures and return the land to its previous condition. The company warned that failure to comply would lead to legal action and the involvement of Kosovo Police and relevant inspection authorities.
The owners, meanwhile, began legal procedures, arguing that they hold property documentation based on previous agreements with “Srbijashume.”
A public discussion on the ownership dispute was held on July 14 in Zubin Potok, organized by the non-governmental organization Aktiv under the title “Dialogue on Property Issues in the Lake Ujman Area.” The meeting brought together “Ibër-Lepenc” CEO Faruk Mujka, Zubin Potok Mayor Milosh Peroviq, property owners and their legal representatives.
Participants discussed the legal basis for the demolitions and the absence of court decisions authorizing such measures. Mayor Peroviq stated that the municipality had not approved the demolitions and that, according to his knowledge, no court ruling existed permitting the action.
The case of the “Rezala” camp was also discussed, with owners arguing that their property rights had been violated.
Mujka has previously rejected claims that the actions were linked to the location of the properties in northern Kosovo, stating that the process is not limited to Zubin Potok but applies to all municipalities where “Ibër-Lepenc” infrastructure is located.
“This is not only about the Municipality of Zubin Potok, but all municipalities where the infrastructure of the Public Hydro-Economic Enterprise ‘Ibër-Lepenc’ is located,” Mujka said.
The dispute highlights broader unresolved property issues in northern Kosovo, where ownership claims involving former Serbian state institutions, public enterprises and private users continue to generate legal and political tensions.
