"You are in Republic of Kosovo and should go back home": Newsmax Balkans crew arrived in KiM after difficulties

Newsmax Balkans journalist Dunja Mimic emphasized that they arrived in Kosovska Mitrovica after facing many unpleasant situations at the Jarinje crossing.

Namely, when our journalists approached the administrative crossing, along with their ID cards, they also submitted all necessary documents they always carry when going on an official trip - an equipment list and a travel order.

Printscreen: Newsmax Balkans

"First, we handed over our ID cards, and we managed to pass there, but the problem arose when we reached customs. When asked if we had any equipment, we listed what we had and were then asked for a travel order. The problem with the travel order, according to the customs police, was that we stated we were on an official trip with the intention of covering the local elections in Kosovo and Metohija", Mimic explained.

"They told us the solution was to write Republic of Kosovo"

She added that the entire crew was asked whether they knew where they were going.

"When we answered that we knew and that we were going to Kosovska Mitrovica, the response was that this was not true, that we were headed to another country, that we were currently on the territory of another state, that this was not Serbia, and that we were in the Republic of Kosovo", our journalist recounted.

When asked what the solution was to this situation, the customs officers said the solution was to write Republic of Kosovo in the travel order.

"They told us that with this travel order they could not allow us to cross and that the only solution was to go back home, correct what was written, and write Republic of Kosovo, and that only then might they allow us to pass", she stated.

"They demanded to check each piece of our equipment and personal belongings"

Since the Newsmax Balkans crew did not want to do that, they tried to negotiate in other ways.

"The whole discussion lasted about an hour. Since the customs officers refused to accept our pleas and the facts we presented about why we were actually coming here, they then demanded to examine every single piece of our equipment. They started with the camera itself, the tripod, the link for live broadcasting, and asked for explanations of what each item was for, how it worked, and how we intended to use it. Our cameraman calmly explained the purpose of each piece of equipment, after which they asked me to hand over all of my personal belongings, constantly asking what was in this bag and what was in that one", described Dunja Mimic.

"A warning - this time only"

She added that in the end, through a kind of diplomatic effort, they managed to reach an agreement and were allowed to cross the administrative line.

"We were warned that they were allowing this only this time, and that next time we must clearly state to the entire TV crew exactly where we are going, and that it should be clear to us that we are leaving Serbia and entering the territory of another country, into a city located in another state", our journalist emphasized.

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