Kosovo municipal elections - OSCE Secretary General condemns violence

VIENNA, 4 November 2013 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier has strongly condemned the violence in northern Mitrovica/Mitrovicë that marred yesterday's poll.

"The violent attacks carried out as polls were in progress are reprehensible. They are attacks not only against personal dignity but against the right of citizens to exercise their free democratic choice. We expect everything will be done to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"These incidents are all the more destructive as they come during an election which was to have marked a step forward in the process of normalizing relations between Belgrade and Prishtinë/Priština and contributing to stability and security in the region. Elsewhere, substantial number of voters were able to turn out to vote freely for their chosen candidates and the turnout was encouraging.

"We wish to thank OSCE staff on the ground who worked steadfastly despite challenging circumstances."

The OSCE was facilitating elections in the four northern Kosovo municipalities in line with the 19 April EU-facilitated Belgrade-Prishtinë/Priština agreement.