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Kosovo: top UN envoy voices solidarity with anti-crime demonstrators

Kosovo: top UN envoy voices solidarity with anti-crime demonstrators

Joachim Rücker
The top United Nations envoy to Kosovo today voiced solidarity with demonstrators in the capital, Pristina, who marched against crime in response to last week’s murder of a police officer in the Serbian province administered by the world body since 1999.

The top United Nations envoy to Kosovo today voiced solidarity with demonstrators in the capital, Pristina, who marched against crime in response to last week’s murder of a police officer in the Serbian province administered by the world body since 1999.

“The murder of Kosovo Police Officer Triumf Riza is a heinous crime and a terrible tragedy,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative Joachim Rücker. “Indeed, his death has united Kosovo’s people against crime like no other event that I have witnessed here.”

He characterized Mr. Riza, 28, as a “fearless officer, whose service was exemplary,” and staff from the UN Mission in Kosovo, known as UNMIK, participated in today’s rally.

The Kosovo police force has already apprehended suspects in his murder, and Mr. Rücker expressed confidence that the guilty will be brought to justice. He appealed for the community’s support and for anyone with information regarding the case to come forward.