DUI strongly condemns Kosovo arrest in northern Macedonia

The Democratic Union for Integration (BDI) has expressed deep concern and strongly condemns the arrest of a citizen of the Republic of Kosovo at the Blace Han border crossing of Elez, given an arrest warrant issued by Serbia via Interpol.

“This is another unacceptable case of implementing Serbia-made warrants by the Northern Macedonia Ministry of Internal Affairs, which continues to operate without any filter verification, jeopardising the rights and freedoms of Kosovo citizens. Even more disturbing is hiding for more than 10 hours of this ban on public opinion, a move that only adds doubts about the true intentions of these” measures, said DUI's response.

According to DUI, such arrests, repeated and unjust, are taking place at just one time when Northern Macedonia is governed by a helpless executive and without ethnic legitimacy. Albanian representatives in this government have witnessed not only lack of influence but also inability to protect the interests of Albanian citizens both at home and abroad. This dangerous situation affects not only the Albanians of Northern Macedonia but also the citizens of Kosovo, who face uncertainty and injustice whenever they travel to our country.

DUI has been and remains steadfast in its stance that the arrests issued by Serbia through Interpol should not be implemented blindly by North Macedonia institutions. During governance with legitimate Albanian representation, we have prevented such cases and guaranteed protection of the rights of Kosovo citizens.

“requires immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Bajrami and I urge the North Macedonian government to urgently review the practice of executing Serbia's arrests. We cannot allow our state to become a tool of Belgrade politics, at the expense of Albanian citizens”, the DUI communiqué says.