Neziri Mehmetaj continues detention in Serbia, MPJD urges US and EU to react

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspore of the Republic of Kosovo has reacted after continuing detention by Serbian authorities for Kosovo citizen Nezir Mehmetaj, who was arrested by Serbian police on 4 January at the Merdare border point, until he was returning from Switzerland to Kosovo on the grounds allegedly for war crimes.

Through a media communiqué for MPJD calls on the international community, in particular the United States of America and the European Union, to persuade official Belgrade to stop the factory of unfounded accusations, persecutions and arrests, with which it consistently confronts citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, during the trip across the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

This is the complete response of MPJD's:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kosovo calls on the international community, in particular to the United States of America and the European Union, to convince official Belgrade to stop producing accusations, abuses and unfounded arrests, with which it consistently confronts citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, during the trip across the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

To this statement, it is the continuation of detention by Serbian authorities for Kosovo citizen, Mr. Nezir Mehmetaj, who was arrested by Serbian police on 4 January at the Merdare border checkpoint, as he was returning from Switzerland to Kosovo on the pretext of allegedly war crimes.

The Interconnection Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Belgrade has tried to ensure Mr. Mehmetaj, whose family has committed a local lawyer, but instead of being released, the Serbian Prosecutor has extended his detention, testifying once again that Serbian justice is impossible to prove impartial to the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo.

Mr. Mehmetaj is visited on a weekly basis by the Interconnecting Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Belgrade. Also, after announcement by the Liaison Office, the Office of the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy has announced that it is closely following the case in question.

This practice of Serbian authorities is also contrary to the Brussels Agreement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspore of the Republic of Kosovo will remain actively engaged to ensure Mr. Mehmetaj and his return to the family.

Serbia should, with persecutions and political arrests of Kosovo citizens, stop respecting basic human rights, one of which is the right to free movement.