UNMIK bans Tzar Lazar Guard rally

The self-proclaimed Tzar Lazar Guard says it will hold a “peace rally” in Kosovska Mitrovica on October 14. The group, whose operations in Kosovo have been prohibited, wants KFOR, UNMIK and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) to withdraw from Kosovo, calling for disarmament of the Albanian National Army (ANA), a terrorist group reportedly active in the province. UNMIK bans Tzar Lazar Guard rally UNMIK has announced that the presence and activities of the so-called Czar Lazar Guard will not be allowed. “The UNMIK chief issued an executive decree banning the activities and presence of the organization, as it was seen as a threat to law and order. The decision to stage the rally is provocative and could create ethnic tensions,” UNMIK spokeswoman Miriam Desable said on Wednesday in Pristina. Joachim Ruecker’s decree branded the Guard a paramilitary organization, adding that "groups advocating violence were not welcome in Kosovo." KPS spokesman Veton Elshani said today that the Kosovo police would act in line with the UNMIK chief’s executive decree. “We have never banned protests organized in accordance with the law, but the Tzar Lazar Guard is an illegal organization and will be treated as such. Our reaction will depend on the situation,” he said. Elshani added that "UNMIK and KPS teams are looking into the alleged appearance of ANA members near Podujevo in Kosovo." “We will treat any illegal group that poses a risk for the Kosovo society the same,” he said. Meanwhile, the president of the Serb National Council (SNV) in Kosovoska Mitrovica, Nebojsa Jovic, appealed to the Guard to call off the rally as it could harm the interests of the Kosovo Serbs. Members of the Tzar Lazar Guard in Gracanica on June 28 (Beta, archive)

UNMIK bans Tzar Lazar Guard rally

UNMIK has announced that the presence and activities of the so-called Czar Lazar Guard will not be allowed.

“The UNMIK chief issued an executive decree banning the activities and presence of the organization, as it was seen as a threat to law and order. The decision to stage the rally is provocative and could create ethnic tensions,” UNMIK spokeswoman Miriam Desable said on Wednesday in Priština.

Joachim Ruecker’s decree branded the Guard a paramilitary organization, adding that "groups advocating violence were not welcome in Kosovo."

KPS spokesman Veton Elshani said today that the Kosovo police would act in line with the UNMIK chief’s executive decree.

“We have never banned protests organized in accordance with the law, but the Tzar Lazar Guard is an illegal organization and will be treated as such. Our reaction will depend on the situation,” he said.

Elshani added that "UNMIK and KPS teams are looking into the alleged appearance of ANA members near Podujevo in Kosovo."

“We will treat any illegal group that poses a risk for the Kosovo society the same,” he said.

Meanwhile, the president of the Serb National Council (SNV) in Kosovoska Mitrovica, Nebojša Jović, appealed to the Guard to call off the rally as it could harm the interests of the Kosovo Serbs.