Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Commission has commented on the alleged torture and kidnap of Serbian opposition politician, Nikola Sandulović, stating they are in contact with Belgrade but need the full facts.

When asked if the Commission would be taking any action against Serbia regarding the situation, Stano did not answer directly. Instead, he told Euronews Albania, “we have seen reports concerning the alleged detention and ill-treatment of Sandulović”.

He added the Commission is closely following the case and is in contact with the “relevant authorities and stakeholders”. However, it is “important to have full clarity of the facts around this case”.

“We expect the rights of all citizens to be upheld. Any detention should be based on reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence and any credible allegations of violence should be effectively followed up by the relevant competent authorities,” Stano said.

Sandulović was arrested at his home on January 3 by agents from the Security and Information Agency (BIA) after apologizing for crimes Serbia committed against ethnic Albanians during the Kosovan war of independence in 1998-99.

According to reports posted on social media, there was no news of Sandulović until he was found in intensive care at the VMA military hospital in Belgrade on January 4.

He remains in prison and is currently being denied access to independent medical care. His legal team have filed an urgent case with the United Nations Committee Against Torture, calling for his immediate release, protection for him and his family and all charges against him to be dropped.