As a new wave of violence hits northern Kosovo, one of the mayors whose election sparked Serb anger says criminal gangs are leading the ‘revolt’
Last modified on Sun 4 Jun 2023 13.43 BST, village mayor, Izmir Zeqiri, is still getting used to the glare of international attention. “It wasn’t my intention to be a celebrity,” he says as his mobile phone rings on repeat. “We thought more people would run, and we didn’t imagine we could win.”
The boycotting Serbs, furious at the prospect of being ruled by ethnic Albanians, took to the streets after the prime minister Albin Kurti ordered the new mayors to take up their posts. Tensions were so high officials had to be escorted into their offices by police special units.Nato peacekeepers But analysts are surprised at this reaction. “It was not Kosovo police or the government who injured dozens ofThe US and its allies are singling out Kosovo when they had previously said elections were in line with the country’s laws, he added. “Once that had taken place, I think Kurti really didn’t have much of a choice but to enforce these mayors being seated in their city halls.
Like many in Kosovo, he believes some protesters are linked to organised crime. “It was quite a stressful week,” he said, with understatement.
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