Chief EULEXI: The situation in the north could deteriorate

The security issue in Kosovo's north is increasingly being mentioned after the armed attack on Banjska, and amid the authorities' warnings in Pristina of repeating the scenario of violence.

The presence of internationals there, KFOR and EULEX, is the guarantee that eases fears, even though concerns remain.

EU Security and Protection Mission chief Giovanni Pietro Barbano said the current situation in northern Kosovo and generally in Kosovo is calm, “but still fragile”.

“Unfortunately, we have seen this situation deteriorate very easily as it did during September, with the heavy attack on Banjska, where police sergeant Africa Bunnjaku” lost his life, he said in an interview for A2cn.

Speaking of Banjska's case, he said EULEX has no mandate to conduct investigations since 2018.

The EULEX mandate does not include, does not envision any executive mandate. So the full responsibility for conducting investigations is only the institutions of Kosovo. EULEX is monitoring that investigations conducted by Kosovo Police and Kosovo authorities are conducted in line with the Code of Criminal Procedure and in line with the best international standards and best European practices in conducting this monitoring. E ULEX also guarantees that human rights are fully respected along the entire chain of justice, including activities carried out by police, but also in activities committed by prosecutors, judges and in case of detention by the correctional system in Kosovo”, Barbano said.

He said the mission he runs has been present in Banjska during the attack, but also to monitor investigations into the case.

Our monitoring targets lie across the entire chain of justice. So, from activities conducted by Kosovo police in the field to activities carried out by prosecutors, judges, lawyers and the corrective system, including the Law Medicine Institute. We not only monitor, but also advise on various areas; we also support the development of relevant laws and regulations. We were present in Banjska during the attack. We were very close to the monastery area and monitored the activities of the Kosovo police. We managed investigations into pilgrims, accompanied those present at the monastery and delivered them to the joint crossing points as they completed all operations”, he said.

Down, boss of EULEX said that as a mission, they have contacts with Serbia's Interior Ministry and says they have facilitated some requests for information from Kosovo police.

“We are awaiting responses”, Barbano said.

According to him, the resignation of Serbs in November 2022 from Kosovo institutions has had influence and provoked a vacuum in the institutions of rule of law in the north.