Internationals get together, demand unconditional release of Serbian-led police officers

At the time when the international community appeared to have turned its back on Kosovo with harsh reactions to the actions of Kurti Government in the north, a spark finally came that reports, however, have not irritated to that extent.

On June 14th, three police officials were kidnapped within the territory of the Republic by Serbia's special police force.

The case from Kosovo was considered scandalous, while Serbia had another version.

Official Belgrade said they were arrested inside their territory at a location near Raska.

With news of their kidnapping, KFOR forces emerged instead of Kosovo Police forces, along with their chief, Jelal Svechla.

KFOR said, meanwhile, that it has been put in direct contact with Kosovo and Serbia authorities to learn more about the event.

And as Kosovo and Serbia continue to accuse each other of this case, the international community has made up its mind about the case.

They are seeking the immediate and unconditional release of three kidnapped policemen.

The US, while urging Vucin to release them immediately, said the charges against the three policemen are false.

“Call on President Vuciq and the government of Serbia to immediately and unconditionally release the three Kosovo police officers arrested on 14 June. The arrest and ban of those continuing under false charges have exacerbated an already tense situation”, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Saturday.

The US position on the issue has been welcomed by British MP Alicia Kearns.

I welcome the fact that the US is confirming the illegal detention of three Kosovo police officers under false accusations. Unlike Kurt's decision to mayors' offices, this is an illegal move. However, quick punishment only for Kosovo? As the key to de escalation, sanctions may not help, but I am critical of hypocrisy and lack of balance”, she said.

Even the eurodeput, Violet von Cromon, has welcomed the US stance. “Finally, the US State Department”, she wrote on Twitter.

The request for the unconditional release of Kosovo police officials called yesterday also for Germany's foreign minister.

The two countries need “to do everything they can to calm this uncertain situation”, Annalena Baerbock said in Berlin on Friday ahead of a meeting with her Bosnia and Herzegovina counterpart, Elmedin Konakovic. As “one of the first steps” towards calming the situation, Baerbox urged Serbia that “without conditions” release three Kosovo police officers kidnapped by Serbian authorities.

The same attitude is German MP Andreas Schwarz of the Social Democrats. He is even confident that the three has been kidnapped by Kosovo.

The security situation in northern Kosovo is disturbing. KFOR units are deployed here, including our Bundeswehr! President Vuciq should organise the immediate release of three kidnapped Kosovo police officers to de-tradition the” situation, Deputy Schwarz said.

The immediate release of three Kosovo police officers kidnapped on June 14th, Serbia has also asked for Great Britain.

“We call for the immediate release of three Kosovo police officers detained on June 14th”, the British government said during yesterday.

The same demanded that Kosovo and Serbia avoid unilateral actions, have maximum content and take immediate action to reduce tensions.

“We repeat our calls to Prime Minister Kurti and his government to ensure that elected mayors of municipalities carry out their transitional duties from alternative locations so that special police units can withdraw from municipal buildings”, reportedly in the British government's response, broadcast Klankosova.tv.

Great Britain has also called for new, comprehensive elections and for them to be announced in as soon as possible.

“We expect and encourage Kosovo Serbs to participate in this election. We expect that Kosovo and Serbia will immediately engage in EU facilitated dialogue and in particular start working without further delays for establishing the Serbian majority municipality Association”, the British government said in yesterday's reaction.

Albania stood the same ground.

It is necessary, an emergency for all three Kosovo police officers to return home. Beyond the claims that have been seized here or there, for which KFOR will not issue a public conclusion but will deposit the relevant file in NATO, it is clear that in all cases the three effective have committed no crime. Even if we assume that they have violated the border, there is only one answer; their return home. We are focused on making this possible”, Prime Minister Edi Rama has indicated.

At the time when the 48-hour-old expiration of time in custody was expected, yesterday the Supreme and Public Prosecutor in Kraleva made a decision to assign the detention measure to three Kosovo police officers for 30 days.