International officials condemn Kosovo blast
EU officials and international representatives in Kosovo have condemned the attack on a peaceful protest held in Kosovska Mitrovica on Friday. "I will not tolerate actions that endanger the security and stability of Kosovo," KFOR commander Markus Bentler said.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, July 05, 2010
One person died and 11 others were injured in the blast, which was caused by a hand grenade being thrown into the crowd.
EU Security and Foreign Policies Chief Catherine Ashton condemned the "tragic incident in Kosovska Mitrovica" and sent her condolences to the family of the victim.
British Minister for Europe David Lidington said that there is no room for efforts to achieve political goals in Kosovo through violence.
OSCE officials in Kosovo condemned the incident as well, along with the International Civil Office in Kosovo.
KFOR commander Markus Bentler said that KFOR recognizes the right to peaceful protests and condemned the act of violence.
"I will not tolerate actions that endanger the security and stability of Kosovo," Bentler stated.
President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor also expressed their concern over the recent events in northern Kosovo, said reports.
Kosovo police, KPS, have information on suspects in Friday's hand grenade attack in Kosovska Mitrovica, but the investigation is still ongoing.
KPS Deputy Director Ergin Medic said that police have "operative information" regarding suspects in the attack that killed one person and injured 11.
KPS have yet to make any arrests, however, even though one person was taken into custody immediately after the incident.
"One person has been taken into custody as a possible suspect, but he was released after interrogation. We have operative information regarding possible suspect, there are names, but we cannot talk about them during this phase of the investigation," Medic said.
He added that KPS interviewed witnesses and those injured in the attack, adding that forensics experts have investigated the scene to confirm what kind of explosive device was used in the attack.
Hospital director in northern Kosovska Mitrovica Milan Jakovljevic said that all of the injured persons were in stable condition.
"The lives of the patients are not in danger. They are being treated in the orthopedic ward of the hospital. They all have shrapnel-related injuries, but they all suffered injuries to different parts of the body," Jakovljevic said, adding that most would be able to leave the hospital soon.
