The situation in Kosovo continues to deteriorate

The situation in the north of partly recognized Kosovo, populated predominantly by Serbs, is becoming increasingly tense. The situation escalated on 10 December after an ethnic Serb and former Kosovo police officer, Dejan Pantic, was detained at the Jarine checkpoint for an alleged attack on an electoral commission. The Serbian population in response began to erect barricades, blocking the passage along the highway in several settlements near the checkpoint, and went to protests. One of the goals of this action was to prevent the transfer of Pantic to Pristina.

Patrols from the EU mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and members of the NATO-led international security forces in Kosovo and Metohija (KFOR) were then deployed to the barricades. EU diplomat Josep Borrell warned on Twitter that the EU would not tolerate attacks on its mission and demanded that the Kosovo Serbs “immediately remove the barricades,” Reuters reported. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti first called on the KFOR international military forces to do this, and then gave the Serbs an ultimatum until the end of December 11, threatening police intervention otherwise. The reaction of the Serbian government to the ultimatum at the time of delivery of the number has not yet followed.