Dozens wounded as Serbs, UN police, Kfor clash in northern Kosovska Mitrovica
Dozens of Serb civilians, but also UN police and Kfor troops were wounded in clashes in northern Kosovska Mitrovica on Monday, which started when Unmik police stormed the town’s courthouse which had been occupied by Serb protesters since Thursday.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, March 17, 2008
Unmik police stormed the courthouse at 04.30 GMT on Monday and arrested over 50 Serb civilians, former employees of the court who had been requesting to return to their jobs from which they had been expelled in 1999.
As the police proceeded to transfer the arrested protesters to detention centers around Kosovo, hundreds of Serbs clashed with Kfor and Unmik police outside the courthouse.
Dozens of Serbs were wounded in the clashes.
"We have received patients who are suffering from wounds from shock bombs, tear gas and explosive devices. One of the patients had metal removed from his head", doctors said at the Kosovska Mitrovica hospital.
A hand grenade exploded several hours later, injuring five UN and Kfor members, and burning several UN cars, which prompted Unmik to retreat from Kosovska Mitrovica.
Gunshots were also heard.
The director of the Kosovska Mitrovica hospital and one of the leaders of the Kosovo Serbs, Milan Ivanovic, said the international troops "used inappropriate force" during the operation.
Serbian Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic expressed disappointment and anger at UN's actions.
"It is unacceptable given the fact that I had discussed the matter with Unmik deputy chief Larry Rossin last night in Gracanica", Samardzic said.
"I had offered an agreement on resolving all open questions between Unmik and Serbia regarding the Serbs in Kosovo, and we had a deal in principle not to take any actions before I arrive to Kosovska Mitrovica", he said.
