Albanians begin construction works, Serbs very concerned

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Ethnic Albanians began construction works in the Brdjani neighborhood in northern Kosovska Mitrovica on Friday morning, causing a stir among local Serbs who gathered to voice their protest.

In the meantime, an intervention unit of the Kosovo police, and EULEX police arrived at the site, says Tanjug's on-site-reporter.

North Mitrovica Mayor Goran Rakic is also among the gathered citizens, and the situation is under control for now.

This is a long-standing problem. Local Serbs claim that by building houses and moving to this area, Albanians who did not live there previously want to change the ethnic structure of the neighborhood.

Mayor Rakic told Tanjug that the most important thing in this moment is to keep calm and stability.

He specified that Albanians who started conducting construction works in this neighborhood did not get the relevant permits from the municipality, which is a classic example of not adhering to the previous municipal decisions concerning the ban on construction works in this area.

Photo Tanjug, BOKI (archive)