Kosovo shuts down 2 Serbian institutions

ANKARA

Kosovo police closed the offices of the Serbia-affiliated Public Housing Directorate and the Urban Construction and Road Directorate in northern Mitrovica, local media reported.

Serbian flags outside the building were also removed.

Veton Elshani, deputy director of Kosovo Police North Region, told the press that the operation was conducted at the municipality's request.

The offices located in a building, owned by the North Mitrovica Municipality, were evacuated, and an investigation into document forgery was initiated at the prosecutor's request.

In response, Serbia’s Kosovo Office accused Kosovo of continuing "violence" against Serb-affiliated institutions, urging Serbs in Kosovo to remain calm. The closed offices reportedly had 70 employees.

Serb List, the largest Serb political party in Kosovo, barred from the upcoming Feb. 2025 elections, blamed Prime Minister Albin Kurti for the situation.

This follows previous closures of banks and post offices serving Kosovo Serbs, heightening tensions between Kosovo and Serbia. Serbia’s refusal to recognize Kosovo’s 2008 independence remains the core issue.

Efforts to normalize relations and achieve mutual recognition are ongoing under the EU-led Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue launched in 2011.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul