EULEX welcomes the launch of investigations related to allegations of beating a citizen in the north

2024-10-27 19:30:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

EULEX welcomes the launch of investigations related to allegations of beating a

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX, said it welcomes the decision of the Kosovo Police to notify the Police Inspectorate of the launch of investigations related to the claims of a citizen in the north that he was beaten by the Kosovo Police.

On October 26, the Police Inspectorate announced that it has launched investigations into police actions, following claims by a citizen from North Mitrovica, Milosh Subotic, that he was beaten by the Kosovo Police after being taken to the police station.

"We strongly demand that any allegations of ill-treatment be promptly and effectively investigated by the relevant authorities. In this context, according to EULEX's mandate, our role is to monitor the investigations carried out by the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo and, if decided, also by the prosecutorial authorities", said EULEX in an answer sent to Radio Free Europe.

Regarding Subotic's claims, some non-governmental organizations announced on October 26 that they would cease cooperation with EULEX until this mission is declared for this case. Through an announcement, which was signed by the non-governmental Aktiv, Nova Social Initiatives, the Center for the Affirmation of Social Actions, the Center for the Protection of Democratic Culture and the Institute for Territorial Economic Development, it was said that the Kosovo Police is "unprofessional".

On October 27, these organizations reacted again and asked EULEX to inform the public about the steps it has taken to determine responsibility for "inhumane treatment and torture in this and many other cases that we have seen in recent months in northern Kosovo .

"The inaction and calculation of EULEX's mission in monitoring the actions of Kosovo institutions in the rule of law system contributes to the encouragement and institutionalization of the policy of impunity and granting immunity to individuals and groups within the Kosovo Police for the use of force excessive against Kosovo Serbs. With his silence, EULEX is becoming an accomplice", said the non-governmental organizations.

In the response sent to REL, EULEX said that torture, inhuman or degrading treatment are absolutely prohibited.

This mission said it has a monitoring and advisory role and remains committed to supporting the rule of law institutions in Kosovo so that they can effectively guarantee the rights of all.

The EU mission also said that if through its monitoring activities it notices serious violations, EULEX addresses these with the responsible authorities.

What does Subotiqi claim?

In a statement for Radio Free Europe on October 26, Subotic claimed that he was beaten at the police station by the police and that he had photographs and medical documentation to support this claim.

He claimed that he was arrested without reason and taken to a room without cameras, where, according to him, police officials tied him up and beat him.

However, the Kosovo Police denied Subotic's claims, stressing that in the early hours of Saturday, being under the influence of alcohol, he tried to cause damage to a commercial facility.

The police said that they arrested Subotic and then escorted him to the police station. After issuing a misdemeanor ticket, he was released, according to law enforcement. This is not the first time that members of the Serbian community complain about the behavior of the Kosovo Police. In mid-September, some activists claimed that the Police had beaten four young men from North Mitrovica, allegations that the Police denied at the time, saying that they had been arrested for assaulting an official.

Even the civil society has been saying for some time that the Police has "discriminatory treatment" towards the members of the Serbian community and that in some cases there is even excessive use of force.

Earlier, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo told REL that they are aware of the complaints of citizens from the Serbian community regarding the work of the Police and that they are cooperating closely with the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo.

From this, the minister added that they are running a campaign to sensitize citizens to report cases to the Inspectorate, if they think that the Police is not handling them properly./ Rel