Statement of UNMIK Police Commissioner Stefan Feller on the Shooting of Two Policemen
PRISTINA - Yesterday, 23 March, at approximately 9:45 pm, a police patrol in a marked UNMIK Police car came under attack with automatic gunfire along the Pristina–Podujevo main road. The attack happened when the police officers were carrying out their duties near the Shakovica village in Podujevo.
As a result of the attack a male international police officer from Ghana was instantly killed and a Kosovo Police Officer later died of gunshot injuries in the Pristina hospital. A language assistant also sustained gunshot wounds and is reported to be in a serious but stable condition in a hospital.
After Police returned fire, the attackers fled the scene by seizing two passing cars. They were chased by police reinforcement units that rushed to the area. During the incident one of the suspects was hit by police fire. Following the incident a thorough police investigation was immediately launched and police are following several investigative leads at this time. An international prosecutor has been assigned to the case.
During the subsequent search operation a body of a male with fatal gunshot wounds was recovered by the Police in a village in the Podujevo area.
This is yet another painful moment for the Police, when we have lost two more valuable officers to wanton and senseless violence. On behalf of the entire police fraternity, I convey heartfelt condolences to the families of our fallen colleagues. We wish early recovery to our friend who is currently undergoing medical treatment.
I do not wish to link last night’s incident with the riots in the previous week. But I must mention that an effort by certain groups of people to perpetrate public disorder in the last few days has contributed to promote an environment that potentially encourages criminal activities.
Let the death of these police officers be a wake up call for people everywhere in Kosovo. First of all, we must condemn violence, wherever it happens and in whatever form. Then each one of us must play a part in rooting out violence by identifying the perpetrators to the police and helping to bring them to justice.