Three police officials from Kosovo, who were arrested by Serbian forces on June 14, have been released.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed the news himself.

“We confirm that the 3 kidnapped police officers have been released. Even though we are joyous that they get to return to their families, this abduction consists of a serious human rights violation and must be reprimanded. The Serbian aggression must be held accountable,” wrote Kurti on his Twitter account.

We confirm that the 3 kidnapped police officers have been released. Even though we are joyous that they get to return to their families, this abduction consists of a serious human rights violation & must be reprimanded. The Serbian aggression must be held accountable.

— Albin Kurti (@albinkurti) June 26, 2023

Rama: Time to return to de-escalation

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama also took to Twitter to comment on the news.

“The return of the Kosovo policemen home is a delayed news, but nonetheless a very good one, because first, it puts an end to the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of three individuals who have not committed any crime, and second, it reopens the path of de-escalation and dialogue. I’m glad that the force of reason prevailed over the reason of force. I hope that with the force of reason, the long-awaited de-escalation can start immediately and we can further resolve the knots of the final normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia,” wrote Rama.

The Albanian premier had previously announced that all Open Balkan meetings with Serbia had been halted, until the release of the three Kosovo policemen.

Rama reiterated the need for both leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to finalize the normalization agreement, something he promised to request to the President of the Council of Europe Charles Michel.

Furthermore, Rama called on both parties to give up on nationalist rhetoric and focus on the vital dialogue for the future of the entire region and relations with the democratic world.

“The situation in the North of Kosova is deteriorating by the hour and minute, increasing the possibility of a God forbid Balkan ‘Donbas’ right in the heart of Europe. Even just contemplating this possibility is catastrophic, therefore it must be eliminated at all costs,” added Rama.

“Albania will do its utmost to prevent this from happening because it would be a total misery for the fragile peace we have built over the years, within the framework of the Berlin Process and through various initiatives, to crumble like a sandcastle due to the resurgence of the Balkan madness wave, pushing us all off the European integration path into the old powder keg in the heart of Europe,” the Albanian premier concluded his reaction.

Kthimi i policëve të Kosovës në shtëpi është një lajm i vonuar, po gjithësesi shumë i mirë, sepse e para, i jep fund heqjes arbitrare të lirisë së tre njerëzve që s’kanë kryer asnjë krim dhe e dyta, rihap rrugën e de-eskalimit e të dialogut. Më vjen mirë që forca e arsyes fitoi…

— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) June 26, 2023

Earlier the lawyer from Belgrade, Gradimir Nalić, who represented the three Kosovo policemen, confirmed to Radio Free Europe that the pretrial detention had been lifted from the police officials, and they are “being released”.

Nalić stated that charges against them have been confirmed, but they will defend themselves freely.

He mentioned that the police officials will return to Kosovo and added that it is in the “interest of the clients” not to provide further information.

Orbán: We appreciate Vučić’s step

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who had a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić last week regarding the case of the three police officers, stated that he has been informed that, in accordance with his request, the Serbian authorities will release the three Kosovo police officers.

“We highly appreciate the step of President Vučić, which he took in a period of serious challenges, and which is a clear proof of the strategic cooperation between our countries, and our mutual commitment to peace and stability in the Balkans,” wrote Orbán on his Twitter account.

During the meeting held on June 20, Orbán urged Vučić to release the three police officials, stating that “Serbia’s enemies are eager to harm Serbia”.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has just informed me that in accordance with the request made at our meeting last week, the Serbian authorities will soon release the three previously arrested Kosovo policemen from custody. We highly appreciate the step of President @avucic,…

— Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban) June 26, 2023

The justice system in Serbia stated that the three officials are suspected of unlawful production, possession, storage, and trafficking of weapons and explosive materials, a crime that carries a prison sentence of up to 12 years.

They were placed under pretrial detention on June 16, but the duration was not clear.

Their arrest sparked numerous reactions both in Kosovo and the international community, which continuously demanded their release.

Pristina claimed that they were abducted from the territory of Kosovo, while Belgrade stated that they were arrested within Serbian territory.

The news of their arrest came at a time of increasing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia.