The head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Yves de Kermabon, on Sunday condemned clashes between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovska Mitrovica last night in which six people were injured, including EULEX and Kosovo police officers.
The incident was also condemned by the Kosovo Force (KFOR) peacekeepers.
EULEX condemns in strong terms the perpetrators of the violent clashes in Mitrovica, where one EULEX and one Kosovo police officer were wounded in an attempt to restore peace and order, EULEX said in a press release, adding that such senseless acts of hooliganism had no place in a democracy and should be condemned by all.
The clashes occurred as a group of Albanians, celebrating Turkey's win over Serbia in the Basketball World Championships, crossed the bridge over the Ibar river into north Mitrovica, which has a Serb-majority population.
Kosovo police used tear gas to separate Serbs and Albanians who were throwing stones at each other. Shots could also be heard.
Four injured people were taken to the town hospital. Three were released after being treated for injuries from tear gas and stones, while the fourth person with a gunshot wound to one leg has been kept under observation.
KFOR commander Erhard Buhler condemned the clashes in the strongest terms.
KFOR will not tolerate any violence and asks the Kosovo population to help so that those who incited the riots can be arrested, he said in a statement.
KFOR is ready to act in any circumstances with the Kosovo police and EULEX in order to preserve security, the statement added.
