Tension is still very high in northern Kosovo after Sunday's clashes and shootings between local police and several groups of Serbian extremists.
There were 5 victims in the clash. In addition to the killed policeman and the 3 Serbian rioters, the body of another alleged attacker was recently found. This was stated by the prosecutor of the northern region of Kosovo, Naim Abazi, who explained that the body, spotted by officers who returned today to examine the area, was found more than a kilometer away from the site of the accident.
Some Kosovar media claim that the death toll is higher but there is no confirmation yet. The Kosovo Prosecutor's Office reported the arrest of 6 Serbs accused of subversive activities and armed attacks on the police forces.
Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani has proclaimed today a day of national mourning in memory of the officer killed in the violent shootout. The armed conflict took place during the night between Saturday and Sunday in the village of Banjska, within the municipality of Zvecan, in northern Kosovo with a Serb majority.
The siege and the clashes
Before the armed conflict, the Kosovar police were intervening to remove a road block implemented by two Serbian trucks. However, fire was opened against the officers from various directions: one of them was killed while two others were injured.
The attack was made by a group of around 30 armed, masked, uniformed Serbian rebels accompanied by armored cars.
Clashes and shootings continued for most of the day at the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Banjska, occupied by the attackers. Kosovar police forces then entered the territory of the monastery in the evening, putting an end to the conflict.
The accusations
Prime Minister Albin Kurti and President Osmani have openly accused the Belgrade government of supporting criminal groups active in northern Kosovo.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the killing of the policeman but placed responsibility for the incident on Kurti. This, according to Vucic, would be the result of the "terrorist and strongly anti-Serb policy" adopted by the Pristina government.
Furthermore, it seems that the Kosovar police also discovered a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition in some premises in the area and in several cars near the monastery.
Frame: RAI
