Hand grenades thrown at police station in divided Kosovo town FoNet

Hand grenades thrown at police station in divided Kosovo town
FoNet - July 25, 2003

Kosovska Mitrovica, 25 July: A person was killed and at least four injured when unidentified people threw two hand grenades on the UNMIK regional police station in the southern part of Kosovska Mitrovica at 2115 1915 gmt , Kosovo police service spokesman Besim Hoti has told FoNet.

He added that the police were taking witness statements and carrying out a thorough investigation.

FoNet has learned from the Moroccan hospital in southern part of Mitrovica that Kadrij Rassiti (31) died around 2300 from injuries sustained in the blasts.

In a statement for FoNet, Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Faruk Spahiju, who arrived on the site of the blasts, condemned most sharply last night's incidents and voiced his expectation that citizens of Mitrovica would condemn it too.

"The attacks was carried out in the immediate vicinity of the police station. The grenades fell 15-30 metres from the entrance. Fortunately, the incident did not have as grave consequences as it could have bearing in mind that it happened on the main town promenade. We thought that Mitrovica has become free from this type of attacks and turned to everyday problems, but it is obvious that someone wants to destroy everything achieved in this town," Spahiju said adding that two French soldiers are among the witnesses.

This is the fourth attack on a police station and Kosovo institutions in the last month.

SOURCE: FoNet news agency, Belgrade, in Serbian 0726 gmt 25 Jul 03

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