The Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, reacted after last night’s shootings in the north of Kosova, where a KFOR team was attacked in Zubin-Potok. Through a post on social networks, Sveçla states that Serbia should stop organizing illegal criminal structures that aim to destabilize Kosova. While appealing for the removal of the barricades, Sveçla called on the citizens not to fall prey to Serbia’s propaganda to incite a new conflict but to cooperate with the Police.

“The games of Vucic and his criminal instruments are continuing. They initially stated that in Zubin Potok there were armed clashes initiated by the Kosova Police and its Special Units. However, when they realized that the criminal gangs supported by him attacked KFOR, they want to deny all the attacks. The barricades must be removed immediately. Serbia must stop organizing and supporting illegal criminal structures that want to destabilize the Republic of Kosova. The Kosova Police will continue to play its role and fulfill its mission. I call on all citizens not to fall prey to Serbia’s propaganda to instigate a new conflict and to cooperate with the Police and law enforcement agencies”, Sveçla calls.

The barricades at the two border points with Serbia, Jarinja and Bërnjak, were erected on December 10 by Serbian criminal groups, as a sign of protest against the arrest of the former Serbian policeman, Dejan Pantic, by the law enforcement authorities in Kosova. He is suspected of organizing a terrorist attack on the offices of the Central Election Commission (CEC) in the north of Kosova.

There was also a reaction from the Presidency of Kosova, which through the President’s chief of staff, Blerim Vela, announced that the Kosova Police is not involved in any fighting. Through a post on Twitter, Vela writes that the pro-regime media of Serbia are trying to incite armed confrontation in Kosova and that the illegal and criminal structures of Serbia are firing weapons.

“Serbia’s pro-regime media is trying to incite armed confrontation in Kosova, falsely reporting that clashes are taking place near Zubin Potok. The Kosova Police has not been involved in any clashes. Serbia’s illegal and criminal structures are firing their guns,” wrote the President’s chief of staff, Blerim Vela.

Calls for the removal of the barricades have also been made by the US embassy in Prishtina and the one in Belgrade, saying that the arrest of Pantic is being used as an excuse for illegal roadblocks.

This Monday, it has been 17 days since the barricades were placed in the north by the Serbs in the north, after the arrest of former police officer Dejan Pantic.

Kosova Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has warned to meet with KFOR commander after Christmas, to clarify how the barricades in the north of Kosovo will be dealt with.