Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 15:44 GMT

Roma family deported from France attacked in Kosovo

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 21 October 2013
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Roma family deported from France attacked in Kosovo, 21 October 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/528b67883.html [accessed 3 June 2023]
Comments All reference to Kosovo should be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

October 21, 2013

The Dibrani's family get out of a van while under police escort in the northern Kosovar city of Mitrovica, after the family were attacked on October 20.The Dibrani's family get out of a van while under police escort in the northern Kosovar city of Mitrovica, after the family were attacked on October 20.

A Roma family whose deportation from France made headlines earlier this month has been attacked on a street in the Kosovo city of Mitrovica.

Officials say the October 20 attack on 15-year-old Leonarda Dibrani and her family was apparently over a private dispute.

Dibrani's mother was slapped and taken to hospital with minor injuries, a police spokesperson said.

Four people have been arrested and the incident is being investigated. Dibrani and her family were denied asylum in France, where they had lived for four years.

On October 19, French President Francois Hollande said the schoolgirl could return to France to continue her education, but without her family.

She refused the offer.

Leonarda Dibrani's father told the AFP news agency that his children "are afraid to go out" in Mitrovica and that they are continuing to seek ways to return to France.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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