Kosovo: Ethnic clash in Klina leaves one wounded May 28

Event

A clash broke out between ethnic Albanians and Serbs in Klina (Peć district) on Monday, May 28, leaving one person wounded and resulting in one arrest. The fighting occurred after 60 Albanians blocked a road to obstruct some 50 displaced Serbs from returning to the town to attend a religious ceremony at an Orthodox church. A Serb individual was reportedly arrested after Albanian demonstrators recognized him as someone who had allegedly killed Albanian residents in March 1999 during the Kosovo War. Additional clashes between Albanian and Serb individuals and associated arrests and traffic disruptions (e.g. due to roadblocks) are possible in Peć district in the near-term.

Context

Serbian-Kosovar relations remain tense a decade after the country declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Kosovo maintains a sizeable Serbian minority that largely supports reintegration with Serbia.

Advice

Individuals in Kosovo, particularly in Peć district, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.