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Explosion damages bus in Kosovo, UN reports, urging prosecution of perpetrators

Explosion damages bus in Kosovo, UN reports, urging prosecution of perpetrators

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Reacting to an explosion against a bus carrying passengers in Kosovo, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission (UNMIK) there today said those responsible must be found and brought to justice, and stressed that violence must not impede the political process.

The blast yesterday evening in Suha Rekë/Suva Reka hit a bus carrying 55 passengers of various Kosovan communities of Albanian, Gorani, Bosniac and Turkish ethnicity as well as one of Chinese nationality. No injuries were caused and the passengers continued their journey on another bus under police escort, according to an UNMIK spokesman.

“Such a reckless act of criminal violence is condemnable and clearly not in the interest of Kosovo,” said spokesman Neeraj Singh. “We call upon those who have information on this crime to co-operate with law enforcement agencies to ensure that such ill-intentioned individuals or groups are isolated, identified and brought to justice.”

Last month, the senior UN envoy to Kosovo, Søren Jessen-Petersen, asked police to enhance security measures across the province to ensure that a safe and secure environment is maintained during talks on its status.

“Attempts by isolated individuals or groups to disrupt Kosovo’s way forward must not be tolerated,” the spokesman said.

UNMIK Police and Kosovo Police Service have launched ‘Operation Stringent Security’ instituting vigorous police patrols and vehicle checkpoints throughout Kosovo with a focus on potentially vulnerable areas. Over the past month, 352 persons have been arrested and 84 weapons have been seized.

Police Commissioner Kai Vittrup today reiterated that police will remain on high alert during the status process.