Talks on K. Mitrovica court reopening

UNMIK and Kosovo Serb representatives today met to discuss some technical issues concerning the judiciary sector. The dialogue, launched by UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier and Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic, continued in Kosovska Mitrovica on Thursday. Talks on K. Mitrovica court reopening Former Serb court employees in this divided town in the north of the province, and UNMIK Judicial Development Department representatives today discussed the functioning of the judiciary in northern Kosovo and the opening of the District and Municipal Court in Kosovska Mitrovica. The meeting agenda covered the principles for the re-opening of the court reports said. UNMIK Head of Judicial Development Department Elizabeth Rolando said in a statement for Tanjug that the meeting with the Serbian judicial workers was dedicated to technical issues in order to enable the reopening of the court. Attempts were made to find a practical way and solution, she said. "Hopefully, an adequate solution will be found, one that will be acceptable for all communities and with which both sides will be in agreement," Rolando said. In March this year, the court was at the center of a protest that turned into deadly rioting, when UNMIK and KFOR stormed the building to remove the Serb judicial workers demonstrating there. Serbs in northern Kosovska Mitrovica then clashed with international troops. One UNMIK policeman died as a consequence, while 200 people were injured on both sides. The Serb judges, prosecutors, and other court staff, demanding to return to their offices, from where they were driven out in 1999, were arrested and released the same day without any charges. A recent UN report said that the use of force by UNMIK and KFOR during the raid on March 17 this year was excessive.

Talks on K. Mitrovica court reopening

Former Serb court employees in this divided town in the north of the province, and UNMIK Judicial Development Department representatives today discussed the functioning of the judiciary in northern Kosovo and the opening of the District and Municipal Court in Kosovska Mitrovica.

The meeting agenda covered the principles for the re-opening of the court reports said.

UNMIK Head of Judicial Development Department Elizabeth Rolando said in a statement for Tanjug that the meeting with the Serbian judicial workers was dedicated to technical issues in order to enable the reopening of the court.

Attempts were made to find a practical way and solution, she said. "Hopefully, an adequate solution will be found, one that will be acceptable for all communities and with which both sides will be in agreement," Rolando said.

In March this year, the court was at the center of a protest that turned into deadly rioting, when UNMIK and KFOR stormed the building to remove the Serb judicial workers demonstrating there.

Serbs in northern Kosovska Mitrovica then clashed with international troops. One UNMIK policeman died as a consequence, while 200 people were injured on both sides.

The Serb judges, prosecutors, and other court staff, demanding to return to their offices, from where they were driven out in 1999, were arrested and released the same day without any charges.

A recent UN report said that the use of force by UNMIK and KFOR during the raid on March 17 this year was excessive.