03:20Hundreds of Serbian protesters took to the streets in Mitrovica on Wednesday to express their protest as Kosovo's authorities decided to fully open the main bridge connecting the Serb-dominated northern city with the southern part which is inhabited by an Albanian majority.
"Since the arrival of Albin Kurti and the party of self-determination to power, a constant and severe state and institutional aggression has started in the north of Kosovo against the Serbian people. The only political programme that the current government of self-determination has is not the improvement of the economic situation of all citizens of Kosovo," said activist and former judge Nikola Kabasic.
Footage shows protesters holding Serbian flags and placards reading 'We defended survival on the bridge, now we defend disappearance' and 'We ask KFOR to protect us', among other slogans, as well as listening to speeches. Some of the activists criticised local authorities and Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
Local journalist Rada Komazec urged Kosovo authorities to 'reconsider their decisions' over the 'illegal councillors in the North Mitrovica municipality assembly' and 'stop the hellish plan.'
"If the international community does not prevent the opening of the bridge, it means they approve the expulsion of Serbs from these areas. Fear only reigns and the fear is even greater than the opening of the bridge," said one of the local residents Nada.
The protest followed the decision of Pristina to open the main bridge divided the Serbian and Albanian parts of the city which was earlier closed after the end of the war in Kosovo in June 1999. The bridge was reportedly scheduled to open for the vehicles on Wednesday.
Kosovo's Western allies would like to see the issue being resolved as part of EU-mediated talks between Serbia and Kosovo rather than through a unilateral decision and requested new negotiations on the issue which has been rejected by Kosovo's authorities.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his hopes that the NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) will 'respond appropriately' and 'prevent an influx of Albanians,' according to media reports.
In response, Albin Kurti described the announcement of Vucic as 'false allegations' that aim to 'create an atmosphere of fear' and 'elicit a reaction from KFOR in Mitrovica' in his X account. He also stressed that the bridge was opened to 'foster peaceful interaction between the two communities.' "No Albanians are marching over the bridge, as he falsely claims," he added.
In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed independence, a move Belgrade has not recognised. Serbia still regards it as Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.
'Institutional aggression' - Serbs in Mitrovica protest against bridge opening over alleged 'Albanian influx'
Hundreds of Serbian protesters took to the streets in Mitrovica on Wednesday to express their protest as Kosovo's authorities decided to fully open the main bridge connecting the Serb-dominated northern city with the southern part which is inhabited by an Albanian majority.
"Since the arrival of Albin Kurti and the party of self-determination to power, a constant and severe state and institutional aggression has started in the north of Kosovo against the Serbian people. The only political programme that the current government of self-determination has is not the improvement of the economic situation of all citizens of Kosovo," said activist and former judge Nikola Kabasic.
Footage shows protesters holding Serbian flags and placards reading 'We defended survival on the bridge, now we defend disappearance' and 'We ask KFOR to protect us', among other slogans, as well as listening to speeches. Some of the activists criticised local authorities and Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
Local journalist Rada Komazec urged Kosovo authorities to 'reconsider their decisions' over the 'illegal councillors in the North Mitrovica municipality assembly' and 'stop the hellish plan.'
"If the international community does not prevent the opening of the bridge, it means they approve the expulsion of Serbs from these areas. Fear only reigns and the fear is even greater than the opening of the bridge," said one of the local residents Nada.
The protest followed the decision of Pristina to open the main bridge divided the Serbian and Albanian parts of the city which was earlier closed after the end of the war in Kosovo in June 1999. The bridge was reportedly scheduled to open for the vehicles on Wednesday.
Kosovo's Western allies would like to see the issue being resolved as part of EU-mediated talks between Serbia and Kosovo rather than through a unilateral decision and requested new negotiations on the issue which has been rejected by Kosovo's authorities.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his hopes that the NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) will 'respond appropriately' and 'prevent an influx of Albanians,' according to media reports.
In response, Albin Kurti described the announcement of Vucic as 'false allegations' that aim to 'create an atmosphere of fear' and 'elicit a reaction from KFOR in Mitrovica' in his X account. He also stressed that the bridge was opened to 'foster peaceful interaction between the two communities.' "No Albanians are marching over the bridge, as he falsely claims," he added.
In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed independence, a move Belgrade has not recognised. Serbia still regards it as Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.
Hundreds of Serbian protesters took to the streets in Mitrovica on Wednesday to express their protest as Kosovo's authorities decided to fully open the main bridge connecting the Serb-dominated northern city with the southern part which is inhabited by an Albanian majority.
"Since the arrival of Albin Kurti and the party of self-determination to power, a constant and severe state and institutional aggression has started in the north of Kosovo against the Serbian people. The only political programme that the current government of self-determination has is not the improvement of the economic situation of all citizens of Kosovo," said activist and former judge Nikola Kabasic.
Footage shows protesters holding Serbian flags and placards reading 'We defended survival on the bridge, now we defend disappearance' and 'We ask KFOR to protect us', among other slogans, as well as listening to speeches. Some of the activists criticised local authorities and Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
Local journalist Rada Komazec urged Kosovo authorities to 'reconsider their decisions' over the 'illegal councillors in the North Mitrovica municipality assembly' and 'stop the hellish plan.'
"If the international community does not prevent the opening of the bridge, it means they approve the expulsion of Serbs from these areas. Fear only reigns and the fear is even greater than the opening of the bridge," said one of the local residents Nada.
The protest followed the decision of Pristina to open the main bridge divided the Serbian and Albanian parts of the city which was earlier closed after the end of the war in Kosovo in June 1999. The bridge was reportedly scheduled to open for the vehicles on Wednesday.
Kosovo's Western allies would like to see the issue being resolved as part of EU-mediated talks between Serbia and Kosovo rather than through a unilateral decision and requested new negotiations on the issue which has been rejected by Kosovo's authorities.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed his hopes that the NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) will 'respond appropriately' and 'prevent an influx of Albanians,' according to media reports.
In response, Albin Kurti described the announcement of Vucic as 'false allegations' that aim to 'create an atmosphere of fear' and 'elicit a reaction from KFOR in Mitrovica' in his X account. He also stressed that the bridge was opened to 'foster peaceful interaction between the two communities.' "No Albanians are marching over the bridge, as he falsely claims," he added.
In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally proclaimed independence, a move Belgrade has not recognised. Serbia still regards it as Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.