Serbia extends detention measure to Nezir Mehmetaj

The War Crimes Chamber at the Belgrade Supreme Court has continued its detention measure for another month, exile Nezir Mehmetaj, who was arrested in Merdare while sending his mother for analysis in Nis, Serbia.

Mehmetaj, who has been living in Switzerland since the war, has been charged by Serbian war crimes authorities.

As Serbian media report, Mehmetaj will be held in custody until 2 March.

He has been arrested on 4 January this year. Mehmetaj's arrest has also reacted to the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo, which have sought the immediate release of Kosovo citizens.

The situation with great interest is being conveyed by the European Union. EU spokesman Peter Stano has confirmed this.

Stano said they were following closely.

“We are closely monitoring the judicial process”, he said.

In addition Stano has said that Kosovo and Serbia's justice institutions should co-operate among themselves regarding the investigation and prosecution of acts that are alleged.

“Judicial authorities in Serbia and Kosovo must co-operate closely in investigating and prosecuting alleged criminal acts”, Stano has continued on.

As Stano has suggested, on the basis of the principles of the dialogue Kosovo and Serbia, Nezir Mehmetaj, have agreed on, should be followed by courts in Kosovo.

“In line with the principles of dialogue, the prosecution of cases must become a priority before courts at the site of residence, in Kosovo or Serbia”, Stano has finished.

The Express newspaper has sent questions to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive information about what measures will be taken to release Nezir, but in this institution they have not provided much detail.

Otherwise, after this incident, the MPJ has asked that more circulation be avoided through this country, since Serbia, as they say, is not a safe territory.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that Serbia is no longer a territory that offers even minimal security for their physical and legal integrity, nor for their family members. As a result, temporary circulation is suggested through this country”, the communiqué says.