Three police officers from Kosovo, who were released by the Serbian authorities, arrived in Kosovo via the border crossing in Merdare.
After passing the Serbian checkpoint, they entered in Kosovo Police vehicles and headed towards Pristina without making any statements to the media present at the border crossing point.
Arrested by Serbian forces since June 14, they were released on Monday morning.
The Serbian justice charged the three police officers, namely Beqir Sefa, Mustafë Shemi, and Rifat Zeka with the criminal offense of production, possession, storage, and illegal trafficking of firearms and explosive materials, which carries a sentence of up to 12 years in prison.
They were placed under pretrial detention on June 16, but the duration was not clear.
Their lawyer stated that the indictment against them has been confirmed, but they will defend themselves freely.
The Supreme Court in Kraljevo – a city in central Serbia where the three police officers were held – also confirmed the suspension of pretrial detention measures against them.
The arrest of the three police officers sparked numerous reactions both in Kosovo and the international community, which continuously demanded their release.
The Government of Kosovo claimed that they were arrested on its territory, specifically abducted, but Serbia denied this, stating that the officers had entered their territory.
Official Pristina: Serbian aggression must be held accountable
Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said that “this abduction constitutes a serious violation of human rights and should be condemned”.
“Serbian aggression must be held accountable,” he said, expressing his joy for the return of the officers to their families.
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
President Vjosa Osmani, among other things, stated that the release of the police officers “does not absolve Serbia of responsibility for this blatant act of aggression against Kosovo”.
Kosovo's 3 police officers have been released, but this does not absolve Serbia of responsibility for this flagrant act of aggression against 🇽🇰 & violation of the Military Technical Agreement w/NATO.
Many thanks to our partners who made this release possible, in particular 🇺🇸.
— Vjosa Osmani (@VjosaOsmaniPRKS) June 26, 2023
Minister of Interior Xhelal Sveçla stated that the persecution of the officers by Serbia would continue freely, “although their release today is good news”.
“The confirmation of the indictment and their release through regular procedures is a continuation of Serbia’s efforts to cover up the police-military aggression within the territory of the Republic of Kosovo,” said Sveçla, reiterating that the officers “were on official duty within the territory of the Republic” when they were arrested.
“They should be unconditionally released, and Serbia should be held accountable for violating the territorial integrity of the Republic of Kosovo,” said Sveçla.
Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama said that “the return of the Kosovo police officers is delayed news but still very good news”.
“…it puts an end to the arbitrary deprivation of liberty for three individuals who have not committed any crimes, and it reopens the path of de-escalation and dialogue,” Rama wrote on Twitter.
The return of the Kosovo police to their homes is delayed news, but nonetheless a very good one because, first, it puts an end to the arbitrary deprivation of liberty for three individuals who have not committed any crime, and second, it reopens the path of de-escalation and…
— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) June 26, 2023
Orbán: We appreciate Vučić’s step
Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán, who met with the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, last week regarding the case of the three police officers, said that he has been informed by Vučić that, in line 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.
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
During the meeting held on June 20, Orbán asked Vučić to release the police officers, stating that “Serbia’s enemies are eager to harm Serbia”.
High tensions
The Government of Kosovo expressed its conviction that the Serbian authorities “abducted” the three police officers due to the arrest of the Serb Milan Milenković by the Kosovo Police on June 13, under suspicion of organizing violence against NATO’s mission, KFOR, in northern Kosovo.
The situation in this predominantly Serbian-populated area has been tense since the end of May when the Kosovo Police assisted Albanian mayors in entering their offices there despite the resistance of local residents.
These facilities are also used by parallel Serbian structures.
Tensions escalated on May 29 when Serbian protesters clashed with KFOR soldiers. Dozens of injuries were reported on both sides.
The international community has continuously urged Kosovo to de-escalate the situation, specifically by withdrawing special police units from the north, organizing new local elections, and returning to dialogue for the normalization of relations with Serbia.
On the other hand, official Belgrade demands to ensure the unconditioned participation of Serbs in possible local elections.
The extraordinary elections held in April, from which Albanian mayors emerged, were boycotted by the Serbian community.
