Kosovo continued demolitions of Serbian-owned properties near Gazivode
On 30 July 2026, in a new operation a motel owned by Serbs near Gazivode was demolished, while the EU calls for a halt to the demolitions.
Published in: Balkans 30 July 2026 19:48 — Kosovo authorities continued with demolitions in the Ujman/Gazivode area, carrying out another operation to remove properties owned by Serbs.
Authorities today demolished a motel they say was built on public land, while representatives of the Serbian community claim there is no court decision permitting its removal. So far a total of 17 villas owned by Serbs in the area have been demolished.
The operators of the facility previously filed a criminal complaint against the head of Ibar-Lepenec and initiated civil court proceedings, asking a judge to prohibit any demolition until the ownership dispute is resolved.
Current removals and inspections
Despite these legal proceedings, Ibar-Lepenec is already overseeing the removal of 16 structures around the lake, and forestry inspectors recently sealed off part of the property.
The European Union called on the authorities in Pristina to immediately suspend all further demolitions, forced relocations and confiscations of property in Gazivode.
A message also appeared on social networks: "Heavy machinery has just arrived at Lake Gazivode near the Jezero motel. pic.twitter.com/w7MzpvMS4w" — eyewitnesses say that heavy machinery arrived at the Jezero motel while the operation was underway. Legal claims to determine ownership are still ongoing.
Photo: Evgeni Dinev / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
