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Kosovo authorities have launched a preliminary investigation to identify possible perpetrators of shooting incidents on the border with Montenegro, Kosovo government spokesman Perparim Krieziu told Radio Free Europe (RFE).
On September 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro sent a verbal note to the Embassy of Kosovo in Podgorica due to the incidents.
Montenegro stated that it is suspected that the shooting came from the territory of Kosovo, in the area near the Montenegrin ski resort of Hajla-Štedim, near the border between the two countries.
The first incident occurred in July last year, when damage was observed to a ski resort cabin, while the second occurred on August 24 of this year, when shooting was reported in the direction of a ski resort facility.
Montenegrin authorities have opened a case and are investigating the cases.
Krieziu said that Kosovo was informed about the incidents by Montenegrin authorities through diplomatic channels and that Kosovo border police immediately began patrols in the Štedim area, but that no material evidence was found at that location that would confirm the location or circumstances of the incident.
“However, by order of the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Peja, a preliminary investigation has been launched with the aim of identifying possible perpetrators, also relying on information from local sources,” Krieziu said.
He added that security institutions, namely the Kosovo police, have expressed their willingness to organize a meeting with Montenegrin border authorities, with the aim of intensifying cooperation, exchanging operational information, and preventing negative phenomena along the border line.
Fadil Gashi from the Kosovo police for the Peja region recently told RFE/RL that he had no information about security incidents on the border with Montenegro and that the regional police were more engaged in “maintaining order and public peace” than in international incidents.
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