On the social media Facebook, an account has published two pieces of content (see here and here).
One post claims that during the October 5 protest in Pristina, activists from the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV) wore Kosovo Police uniforms and acted "under orders from Sweden," even though they were not members of the Police.
In another post, it is alleged that the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, has threatened the Director General of the Police, Gazmend Hoxha, after the latter had said that violence could not be used against "the children of martyrs."
What's wrong with these claims?
After fact-checking conducted by hibrid.info, no evidence was found to support these two claims.
FACTS
Initially, a Google search was conducted regarding these claims, and the results did not show this information published in the media or credible sources (see here and here).
The Kosovo Police, in its official statement on the developments of October 5, announced that its police units were engaged in managing the protest. According to the Police, three protesters were escorted to the station, while six police officers were injured and 11 citizens/protesters sought medical assistance (see here).
The statement does not mention persons associated with VV who have worn police uniforms or persons who have acted as police officers without being members of the Police.
Similarly, media reports on the protest document the presence of Kosovo Police and clashes with protesters, but do not report that VV members have received police uniforms (see here).
Regarding the second claim, during the protest there were public accusations of police use of violence and political influence over it. The protest organizer, Çlirim Haziri, stated that the police had received orders from Xhelal Sveçla (see here).
PDK MP Elmi Reçica also called on the police, through a Facebook post, not to use violence against protesters, including “children of martyrs and veterans,” and said that “no political order justifies violence against protesters.” However, Reçica did not claim that the Director of Police, Gazmend Hoxha, had told Sveçla that he could not use violence against the children of martyrs, and did not report any threats from Sveçla to Hoxha (see here).
Furthermore, a day after the protest, the Kosovo Police Inspectorate (IPK) announced that it had initiated a preliminary investigation into police actions during the protest. The IPK announced that it was reviewing the use of force and police equipment, following a complaint of excessive force.
This indicates that the use of police force during the protest is being reviewed by the competent body, but does not constitute evidence for the claim that VV activists were dressed in police uniforms or that Sveçla threatened the Police Director (see here).
Analyze
Two claims published on Facebook, regarding the October 5 protest in Pristina, claim that VV activists dressed in Kosovo Police uniforms and acted under the orders of Xhelal Sveçla, and that Sveçla threatened the Police Director, Gazmend Hoxha.
After fact-checking by hibrid.info, no evidence was found to support these claims.
Official sources and media reports document clashes during the protest and the use of force by the Police, but do not report on VV activists dressed as police officers or the threat of the Police Director by Sveçla.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info assesses this content as "Fake News".
rationale
The “Fake News” rating is given to informational content that is entirely fabricated or that contains factually incorrect claims or information. Content that is rated as fake news can be defined as having been created and distributed with the intent to misinform the public, i.e., to present a claim that is completely false as fact.