Schook calls for patience in Babin Most controversy

Schook calls for patience in Babin Most controversy

Schook also called on Serbian officials to show restraint in their reactions until the results of the investigation into the case are known.

“I don’t think it is useful for political leaders to make hasty conclusions, I don’t think that can be a part of the solution of the problem, nor can it be beneficial for this part of the region. I have asked my interlocutors to wait until the investigation is complete in order to draw any conclusions”, Schook said, referring to some Serbian officials’ claims that Babin Most events represented an introduction into “another March 17”.

Kosovo Serb representative Marko Jakšić, however, doesn’t think Vojislav Koštunica’s characterization of the KPS action in the Serb community in Babin Most as “an attempt at ethnic cleansing” is out of order. Jakšić says that the Simić household was searched on three separate occasions, that some family members were brutally beaten, while many locals were interrogated.

“In the end, they came up empty handed, while the fact Schook ordered an internal investigation suggests not everything was carried out according to rules and regulations. Serbs here are protected only when Belgrade raises the tone of its voice. When Belgrade keeps quiet, the Albanian side carries on with its work in the dark”, Jakšić says.

Meanwhile, deputy KPS commander general Sheramet Ahmeti has apologized to Babin Most residents for any inconvenience they might have suffered as a result of the police investigation of the murder of Avni Kasumi.

Obilić municipality coordinator Mirče Jakoviljević says the Serbs in Babin Most expect general Ahmeti and regional KPS and UNMIK chiefs to visit their village.

He added that while the residents understood the police had to their job investigating an officer’s murder, they could not understand the need to search their homes, arrest their neighbors, demolish furniture and subject people to beatings.