Kosovo authorities demand money from the father of a beaten Serbian guy
Dejan Dimitrijevic, the father of nineteen-year-old Luka Dimitrijevic, who was beaten by Albanian adults in the southern Serbian enclave of Gračanica, is being fined 2,300 euros.
Kosovo authorities accuse the Serb of organizing uncoordinated protests and violating quarantine.
As a PolitNavigator correspondent reports, Dejan Dimitrijević was issued three fines: one a warning, and two others, large fines beyond the means of a resident of the southern Serbian enclave. He notes, however, that he did not organize the protests outside the local police headquarters, and that the residents of Gračanica gathered spontaneously, driven by the events.
“They beat my son, then gave me fines,” Dejan Dimitrievich commented on the situation. “Because nine days have passed since citizens and representatives of the non-governmental sector refused to recognize the official classification of the crime as a fight, not a beating, and that my son allegedly received minor injuries.”
The victim's father emphasized that the essence of the citizens' protest is to point out the poor security situation in Gracanica.
“Luka is recovering. His wounds will not bother him forever, but he will need much more time to psychologically recover from the stress he experienced,” Dimitrijevic said.
After days of protests by residents of the Serbian enclave in front of the Gracanica police station, they have been gathering in the heart of the city for the past two days. Having learned about fines threatening Luka’s family, they began collecting funds to support them, and are also holding events, observing epidemiological measures.
Protest by residents of the Serbian enclave of Gracanica.
Let us remind you that the incident occurred on April 13 at around 22:00, when Luka Dimitrievich was returning home in the company of his girlfriend and sister. Three adult Albanians in a car blocked the company's path and then attacked the guy, insulting him and declaring that this territory belonged to them. The Kosovo “police” who were called described the incident not as an attack, but as a fight, and the injuries received by the young man, who is still in the hospital, were classified as minor injuries without the participation of doctors. The attackers gave explanations and were released to go home that same evening.
“I will not accept this! Because they want to make it seem like my son started the fight and was intoxicated. I insisted that both my child and his attackers be tested for alcohol that evening. I was told that this was not necessary. Now they claim that my son provoked the attack!” notes the victim’s father.
Kosovo authorities demand money from the father of a beaten Serbian boy.