“gone to Idare”- Speak to families of two young people from Podujevo who reportedly were arrested in Serbia

Two young people from Podujevo, Rexhep Hoti and Gyven Azemi, have been arrested last week by Serbian authorities, as they allegedly were cutting wood on Serbia's territory.

The families of the detainees have raised concerns about their fate.

Razije Hoti, Rexhep Hoti's mother, has told Dukaagjini television that she saw her son for the last time on the night of her arrest, but was unable to communicate with her.

She has added that they have been unable to obtain information due to difficult financial conditions and lack of access to Serbian authorities.

“The boy was arrested Wednesday afternoon. The sister's son with him. At six o'clock we found out... they went to Idare, went to take wood and got it. And now they've taken them for a week, we don't know anything about them.

At six o'clock we've been notified by a busy Serb, and I've been in a taxi by 10 o'clock until Kursumli, he Serbian translation... that night I met them, they were crying, talk to me so we can after we weren't allowed. We don't know about them until they're dead.

It has called for the help of Kosovo institutions, but also of the citizens of the country for the return of two young people home.

Meanwhile during the day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora (MPJD) has confirmed that it has taken steps to obtain official information on the case.

Through the Kosovo Liaison Office in Serbia, a formal request has been made to confirm the identity of arrested persons, their whereabouts and other relevant details.

Regarding this case, the Interconnecting Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Serbia has already sent to the Government of Serbia, through Serbia's Interconnecting Office in Kosovo, a formal request to confirm the case, as well as to provide other relevant details, including the identity of arrested persons and the location where they are being held”, the MPJD response reported.

MPJD has also announced diplomatic missions of the Quint countries and the European Union Delegation to Serbia on the occasion, while at the moment of confirmation, Kosovo diplomats will seek to visit those arrested at the detention centre.