Constitutional Prosecutor in Mitrovica seeks removal of immunity for Russian national

The Constitutional Prosecutor in Mitrovica, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Kosovo, has demanded the removal of the immunity of Russian citizens simultaneously, the UN Mission to Kosovo (UNMIK), which on Tuesday during the Kosovo Police Action in northern Kosovo, has been banned because it participated in the barricades.

Several hours after the ban, he was released.

The chief prosecutor in Mitrovica, Shyqri Syla, has confirmed to Radio Free Europe, that the demand for immunity removal was submitted on Wednesday, in order to launch criminal proceedings related to criminal work “obstructing the official person in the implementation of duty“and “mass participation, which has committed the criminal act of hooliganism“.

Based on the Law on status, immunity and privileges of diplomatic and consular missions in Kosovo, as well as the presence of international military forces and their personnel, such persons could be stripped of immunity only with the written reconciliation of the mission's leader.

Similarly, Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the UN mission in Kosovo to clarify the circumstances of the presence of Russian citizens, worker of UNMIK, at the barricade near Zubin Potok, in northern Kosovo.

Barricades on the road, in the shape of trees, is placed by local residents in order to prevent the passage of the Kosovo Police. At the time, police action was under way, which has resulted in the ban of 19 police officials and some citizens.