Kosovo launches preliminary investigation into shooting incidents at border with Montenegro

Montenegro has said that firearms were allegedly fired from the part of Kosovo in the area near the Montenegrin ski centre, Haylla-Citimate, near the border between two states.

The first incident occurred in July last year, when injuries were observed in the cabin of the ski centre, while the second incident occurred on August 24th this year, when shots were recorded in the direction of an object of the ski centre. Montenegrin authorities have opened materials and are conducting investigations into cases.

Kryeziu has told Radio Free Europe that the state of Kosovo has been announced through diplomatic channels from the Montenegrin state for the incidents, and that Kosovo Border Police have begun patrolling immediately in the Western area, but that no material evidence has been found from there confirming the location or circumstances of the incident.

“However, with instructions from the Founding Prosecutor in Pec, have launched preliminary investigations into identifying possible authors, even relying on information from local sources”, Kryeziu has announced.

He has said that security institutions, Kosovo Police respectively, have expressed readiness to organise a meeting with Montenegrin border authorities aimed at intensifying co-operation, exchanging operational information and preventing negative phenomena along the border line, and that this year alone, the two countries have conducted 30 joint patrols in border areas.

Fadil Gashi from Kosovo Police for the Pec region has said there is no information about security incidents on the border with Montenegro, and that regional police are more engaged “in preserving order and public calm”, not international incidents.

Montenegro and Kosovo have signed the demarcation agreement in 2015. Montenegro has ratified it in the same year, while the Kosovo Assembly three years later. / REL/ Periscopi/