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Balkans

In southeast Kosovo, stabbings spread fear in a multi-ethnic neighbourhood

After two years of relative calm, a knife attack targeting members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities has sent shockwaves through the south-eastern city of Ferizaj.

Until 11 November, the Kosovo city of Ferizaj had gone two years without a single report of ethnically-motivated assault against the local minorities.

The stabbing of four people that day by a single perpetrator has sent shockwaves through the city. The alleged attacker, identified by prosecutors by the initials F.I., 62 years old, surrendered in the early hours of November 12 and was remanded in custody for 30 days.