Kosovo Court Fines 36 Serbs Detained at Gazimestan, Bars Appeals

The Basic Court of Temporary Institutions in Pristina sentenced 36 people detained on Gazimestan during Vidovdan celebrations to fines of €700 each for disturbing public order. Those without Kosovo‑issued documents were ordered deported and barred from entering Kosovo for three years. The court denied the defendants the right to appeal, requiring payment within 15 days of the verdict.

Lawyers for the detainees allege serious due‑process violations, stating that the defendants were not heard at a hearing, that the decision was issued without prior oral arguments, and that some detainees suffered physical abuse during the police operation. Among those detained were individuals from Montenegro, central Serbia and one minor; a few were later released. The incident has prompted criticism from Serbian legal representatives and heightened ethnic tensions in the region.