Developments about Special Court, Ivanovic killing challenge Kosovo security

State authorities have found that the situation is calm and stable, without worsening indicators. But according to experts from the security field, there are several factors that make the general situation very fragile.

The assassination of Serbian politician in northern Mitrovica Oliver Ivanovic, the attempt of a group of MPs for the abolition of the Special Court for War Crimes that is being seen as violating reports with the international factor, as well as internal clashes over the ratification of the border demarcation agreement between Kosovo and Montenegro, remain issues not only more discussed on the political stage, but also of tensions.

In addition, the socioeconomic situation is seen as potential for deepening fragility in terms of security.

All these issues, according to Skender Pertesh, analyst at the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies, are generally challenging the state of Kosovo, and in particular public security.

“We are facing some serious topics, whether the abolition of the Special Court, whether border demarcation problems with Montenegro, the economic situation in general, liberalisation are some topics that are challenging the state of Kosovo and affecting development away from the state in general. However, I believe that state institutions have their own maturity and do not take reckless actions that could affect the country's stability and security in general”, says Perteshi.

He adds that the latest case (the murder of Oliver Ivanovic) could raise tensions in the country's north. Until, according to him, as far as the country's other territory, the security situation can be considered calm and stable.

The “Except for northern Kosovo, where law enforcement institutions in Kosovo still do not control that territory, the overall security situation in Kosovo is calm and stable, but the last case could increase tensions in the country's north and there may be some source for destabilising especially the northern part. But I believe that Kosovo institutions, police and the Prosecutor's Office reveal the causes of the assassination in order to keep the situation under control”, Perteshi estimates.

During this week, the United States of America had warned American citizens to “discuss the care in Kosovo due to terrorism”.

In a warning from the US State Department, Serb-run northern Kosovo municipalities are mentioned as areas of increased risk.

The UN stresses that <x0-tensions in and between communities continue to incite violence, demonstrations and other riots in northern Mitrovica, Leposaviq, Zubin Potok and Zvecan.

There was no explanation for the timing and reasons for this warning.

The deputy director of the Kosovo Police in the northern Mitrovica region, Besim Hoti, tells Radio Free Europe that the recent murder may bring a sense of the burden of uncertainty, but that this burden has not been manifested on the ground to jeopardise public or general security.

The “Tensions are more individual and psychological in the mass of citizens on the matter of security, as the latest murder brings a sense of the burden of uncertainty. These feelings of insecurity, however, are not manifested in any form on the ground that affects or endangers public safety or general security. We say it's a quiet situation and we have no reason to worry about an overall security risk of”, says Hoti.

Meanwhile, Kosovo police through a media report had stressed measures in terms of increased security, including increased police presence in several locations identified as sensitive, with the aim of preventing any incident.

The meeting on the security situation in Kosovo had been held during the week the Kosovo Security Council.

After this meeting, Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Kosovo Police Director Shpend Maxhun had praised the security situation in the quiet and stable country.

In Kosovo, the security situation is style and quiet. Kosovo is not exempt from safe and safe countries, but also is not excluded from the risk of certain terrorist acts or as a crime such as the murder of Oliver Ivanivik, but still we assure you that the security situation is stable and calm in Kosovo”, says Republic of Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who the country's security situation values it calm and stable.

Authorities in Kosovo, Prime Minister Haradinaj has said, are alert and at the level of office on the entire territory.

According to experts, the threat of public security from various crimes increases the need for increased police control in the community.

Kosovo police are in place of the second phase of strategy and action plan for community police 2017-2021.

This strategy has spread throughout Kosovo's entire territory, in all municipalities and areas of Kosovo.