Kosovo police detain dozens at Gazimestan during Vidovdan commemorations

On 28 June 2026, the day of the Vidovdan memorial at the Gazimestan complex near Pristina, Kosovo police carried out a series of detentions. Police said 37 people – and, in other reports, “dozens” – were taken to a police station for “provocative calls with elements of hate‑incitement”. The authorities warned that symbols or slogans that could fuel ethnic or religious hatred would not be tolerated. Detentions were carried out as participants left the ceremony; some were identified as Serb citizens from Kosovo and from central Serbia. The police stressed that the commemorations otherwise proceeded without incident and that the actions were coordinated with the judiciary. Serbian officials condemned the measures as a “shameless and reckless act of repression” and called on international bodies to intervene. Kosovo’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reiterated that the operations were lawful and aimed at preserving public order.

The incident has heightened political tension between Pristina and Belgrade, with both sides accusing the other of provocations surrounding the historic 1389 Battle of Kosovo commemorations.