Today the police competition in the north concludes

The opening competition in early January for recruiting young police from the community ranks, which will be engaged in four municipalities in the country's north following the resignations of former Serbian police officers, is expected to close today. Not showing the number of applicants, Interior Minister Jhelal Svecla has told Radio Kosovo he is satisfied with the applications.

I can freely say that I am satisfied with the answer we have received. This competition will continue to be open until all countries are complete. But, for now, I am very pleased with the response we have received in terms of applications”, Svechla said.

Taking into account developments in the north, the number of applicants may be small, security experts estimate. One of them, Fadi Kajtazi, says this competition could fail as a result of the great pressure of Serbia's institutions on members of the Serb community in Kosovo.

“Gjas to compete members of Serbian nationalism in this Kosovo police competition are too small. Not because citizens of the northern part do not want to, but because there is a similar fear, such as those Serbian citizens who registered cars with RKS license plates were burned or various pressures were experienced”, he said.

Speaking of pressure from Serbia, in the direction of local Serbs, security expert Nuredin Ibishi expresses sceptical about successfully completing the competition for new police.

“I continue to think that maybe it would be a better political solution, the possibility of restoring police officials, besides those not involved in committing criminal acts, as well as some superiors there who have been initials for continued co-operation with the regime in Belgrade. So, I think with a political solution, the return would be possible”, Ibishi said.

The competition, originally scheduled to close on January 27th, is expected to close today. From the police, they haven't shown the number of applicants. “As you are informed of the competition is open, while in terms of the process to further brief you will be informed by”, police questioned by Radio Kosova about the number of applicants, and if the deadline for application can be extended again, in case the number of applications is low.