Increased Arrests of Serbian Police Officers at Administrative Crossings
Recent detentions raise tensions in the ongoing Kosovo-Serbia relations.
Several arrests of Serbian police officers have occurred at administrative crossings between Serbia and Kosovo, according to statements from Serbian officials.
On the evening of a recent date, a member of the Serbian Ministry of the Interior, identified as N. V. (26), and a retired police officer, M. S. (53), were detained at the Brnjak crossing.
Additionally, another officer, M. M. (28), was apprehended at the Jarinje crossing, while officer A. M. (36) was held at the Končulj crossing.
Serbian officials have accused the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, of ordering these arrests, labeling them as politically motivated actions against the Serbian population.
Petković, a spokesperson for the Serbian government, stated that the detained individuals and their families have lived peacefully in Kosovo and Metohija for years while fulfilling their duties in police administrations within central Serbia.
He noted that they are currently in custody and assured that the Office for Kosovo and Metohija would provide legal assistance to them free of charge.
Petković also mentioned plans to inform international representatives and dialogue mediator Peter Sørensen about the alleged unlawful detentions through diplomatic channels.
On June 7, 2023, a former member of the Kosovo Police's special unit, Arbnor Spahiju, was arrested at the border between Serbia and Hungary and has since been placed under a one-month detention on suspicion of committing the serious crime of murder, as reported by the High Court in Subotica.
The charges against Spahiju are linked to an incident in Banjska, northern Kosovo, that occurred in September 2023.
Petković also responded to the recent indictment against Slavko Simić, a member of the Presidency of the Serbian List, criticizing this move by the Kosovo prosecution.
He claimed that Simić, along with other honorable Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, poses a challenge to the authorities in Priština, as his commitment to the interests of the Serbian community prevails over all else.
Simić has been indicted, along with an individual identified by the initials U. V., for participation in a group that allegedly committed crimes and engaged in hooliganism, according to the Basic Prosecutor's Office in Kosovska Mitrovica.
On the evening of a recent date, a member of the Serbian Ministry of the Interior, identified as N. V. (26), and a retired police officer, M. S. (53), were detained at the Brnjak crossing.
Additionally, another officer, M. M. (28), was apprehended at the Jarinje crossing, while officer A. M. (36) was held at the Končulj crossing.
Serbian officials have accused the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, of ordering these arrests, labeling them as politically motivated actions against the Serbian population.
Petković, a spokesperson for the Serbian government, stated that the detained individuals and their families have lived peacefully in Kosovo and Metohija for years while fulfilling their duties in police administrations within central Serbia.
He noted that they are currently in custody and assured that the Office for Kosovo and Metohija would provide legal assistance to them free of charge.
Petković also mentioned plans to inform international representatives and dialogue mediator Peter Sørensen about the alleged unlawful detentions through diplomatic channels.
On June 7, 2023, a former member of the Kosovo Police's special unit, Arbnor Spahiju, was arrested at the border between Serbia and Hungary and has since been placed under a one-month detention on suspicion of committing the serious crime of murder, as reported by the High Court in Subotica.
The charges against Spahiju are linked to an incident in Banjska, northern Kosovo, that occurred in September 2023.
Petković also responded to the recent indictment against Slavko Simić, a member of the Presidency of the Serbian List, criticizing this move by the Kosovo prosecution.
He claimed that Simić, along with other honorable Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, poses a challenge to the authorities in Priština, as his commitment to the interests of the Serbian community prevails over all else.
Simić has been indicted, along with an individual identified by the initials U. V., for participation in a group that allegedly committed crimes and engaged in hooliganism, according to the Basic Prosecutor's Office in Kosovska Mitrovica.
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