Kosovo Police Clash with Students Over Serbian Flag

Kosovska Mitrovica: Police Confront High School Graduates Displaying Serbian Flag Kosovska Mitrovica, May 23, 2025 – A video circulating on social media shows a tense encounter between Kosovo police and high school graduates who were carrying a Serbian flag. The incident, which occurred on May 23, 2025, has sparked debate about freedom of expression and the ongoing political sensitivities in the region. The video, partially obscured due to platform restrictions, shows police officers approaching the students and engaging in a physical interaction. Eyewitnesses reported that the students were peacefully celebrating their graduation when the police intervened. One eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, "The police just came and started pushing the students. It was completely unnecessary. They were just holding a flag." The partial nature of the video makes it difficult to ascertain the full sequence of events. However, the visible interaction is clearly tense, with emotional reactions from both the students and the surrounding crowd. The incident underscores the complexities of the situation in Kosovska Mitrovica, where ethnic tensions and political divisions remain a significant challenge. While the full details of the incident remain unclear, the video serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing security concerns with fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, in a politically charged environment.