Removing billboards with symbols and photographs of Serbian and Russian personalities in the predominantly Serbian-inhabited north, as well as the placement of Kosovo's official symbols in municipal facilities, has sparked reactions from some Serbian media.
The Serbian outlet “Novosti” has published an article titled: “NEW PROVOCATION IN ZUBIN POTOK: Kurti's Police have installed 'Republic of Kosovo' signs." The same article has been published by: Kurir.rs,, Vesti Online,, Naslovi.net..
Photo: Kurir.rs
In the article, it is mentioned that previously there was a Cyrillic inscription sign at that location, which was broken in August 2023. The acting chairman of the Provisional Authority of the Municipality of Zubin Potok, which operates under Serbia's system, Srđan Vuloviq, has described it as another message to the Serbs that the authorities in Pristina do not want them in Kosovo.
The placement of symbols in municipal facilities is a legal obligation, obligim ligjorwhich until April 23, 2023, was not implemented in the majority Serbian municipalities in northern Kosovo, as these municipalities were led by the Serbian List, which does not recognize the state of Kosovo. However, the situation changed after the election of Albanian mayors for the first time in these municipalities. Despite their contested legitimacy, they were elected after the Serbian List boycotted the elections held on April 23, 2023.
Among the first decisions of the Albanian mayors was the placement of Kosovo flags in municipal buildings in Zvečan, Leposavić, Zubin Potok, and North Mitrovica. In opposition to the mayors' decision to place flags in municipal buildings, there were violent protests where Kosovo police, KFOR soldiers, and journalists were attacked.
A few days before the Republic of Kosovo sign was placed in Zubin Potok, the authorities undertook an action to remove symbols and photographs of Serbian and Russian leaders, who have been installed in northern municipalities since the post-war period. Part of the action was also the Minister of Interior, Xhelal Sveçla, and the Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi.
Regarding the removal of Russian and Serbian signs in Kosovo, the Minister of Interior, Xhelal Sveçla,through a video message, stated that illegal billboards featuring symbols and images of dictators and aggressors like Putin and Vučić are unacceptable in the Republic of Kosovo. . "We are a democratic country, clearly defined by Western values, so from today, no symbols of dictators or countries that are aggressive towards Kosovo and its existence will be allowed in any corner," said Sveçla.
The Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi,warned that such actions, like the removal of symbols and other signs that are not in line with Kosovo's laws, will continue.
*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.”
