Police Inspectorate monitors the police response during the protest, opens a preliminary investigation to assess police actions and the use of force

The Kosovo Police Inspectorate (IPK), within its legal mandate and acting ex officio, announced that it monitored the engagements, actions and reactions of police officers during the protest held last night in the areas around the buildings of the Government and the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, as Telegrafi reports.

The announcement says that the IPK activated its operational plan and deployed its officers, who closely followed the way the protest was managed, the interaction of police officers with the protesters, the use of force, and the use of other authorised equipment and means.

Meanwhile, IPK investigators have received a complaint, forwarded through the Kosovo Police, in which a citizen alleges an exceeding of police authorisations during the use of force.

“Based on the data obtained during the monitoring, the footage published in the media and other relevant sources, and within its legal authorisations, the IPK has initiated ex officio a preliminary investigation with the aim of assessing the police actions during the management of the protest.

The IPK will undertake all necessary actions within its legal mandate to clarify the circumstances and, based on the findings of the preliminary investigation, will assess the further steps that may be taken,” the announcement says.

The IPK remains committed to exercising its mandate in a professional, impartial and independent manner, with the aim of guaranteeing respect for legality, citizens’ rights and professional standards in law enforcement.