Morning in Kosovo calm, but tense: Update on Sofronijevic's condition

It is calm but tense in the north of Kosovo and Metohija this morning, after an operation of the intervention unit of the Kosovo police in the northern part of Mitrovica and in Zvecan. Several civilians were injured in the clashes, and as RTS reports, Srecko Sofronijevic, who was shot and wounded, is stable and his life is not in danger.

Members of the Kosovo police for economic crime and customs shut down several stores in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica and surrounding towns on Wednesday morning in order to prevent the smuggling of goods.

This provoked a reaction from residents in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, who blocked some city streets and intersections with trucks and vehicles. The police tried to disperse the gathering of Serbs with tear gas and stun grenades, and they responded with rocks. That's when the shooting occurred.

The barricades set up in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica and in Rudare have been removed, allowing traffic to resume.

The police announced that eight people have been arrested because of the clashes, while arrest warrants have been issued for about ten. Among them are two Serbs.

Sofronijevic's condition remains serious

Srecko Sofronijevic, who was shot in the back during the operation of the Kosovo police in Zvecan, is in intensive care at the hospital in Kosovska Mitrovica. His condition is still serious.

Several other people who were injured during the police operation have been examined at the hospital in Mitrovica, but most of them asked to go home.

There are still signs of the clashes in Mitrovica and Zvecan, bullet casings and stun grenade cartridges are on the streets. Hundreds of bullets were fired, and the Kosovo police claim that protesters also used firearms.

The president of Serbia yesterday spoke with Serbs from the southern province in Raska. Serbs asked the president to protect their children and themselves, with a united stance - that they will stay and live in Kosovo and Metohija.

"If they go on and continue shooting our people, then we will really have no choice, and I tell you once again, and my message to them is - we will keep peace. I understood your decision (to defend yourself) and I wish you would have thought a little, but no matter what happens, Serbia will be with you," the president said.

The president then left Raska for Kraljevo, where he visited a unit of the Gendarmerie.

He told them they would keep peace and stability at all costs, but also that he knew they would respond if the state called on them to protect their people.

(Telegraf.rs)