The United Kingdom called for the immediate release of three Kosovo police officers arrested on June 14th by Serbian forces in northern Kosovo.
Kosovo considers the arrest of the three police officers as an abduction by Serbian authorities on its territory. According to the Kosovo Police, the police officers were arrested in the village of Tresave/Bare, located in the municipality of Leposavić within the territory of Kosovo.
On the other hand, Belgrade declares that it is not an abduction but the arrest of police officers on Serbian territory.
Two days later, the Serbian authorities have not yet provided any information regarding the detainees.
“We urge Kosovo and Serbia to exercise maximum restraint, avoid unilateral actions, and take immediate steps to reduce tensions,” said a statement from the British government.
Through this statement, the UK reiterates its call to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his government to ensure that elected municipal leaders carry out their interim duties from alternative locations outside municipal buildings and for the Kosovo Police special units to withdraw from municipal buildings.
“The new, inclusive elections should be declared as soon as possible. We expect and encourage the Serbs in Kosovo to participate in these elections,” the statement says.
The British government also called on Kosovo and Serbia “to engage immediately in the EU-facilitated dialogue and, in particular, to start work without further delay on the establishment of the Association of Serbian Majority Municipalities”.
Tensions in northern Kosovo have been high since May 26th when newly elected Albanian mayors of predominantly Serbian-populated municipalities entered municipal buildings.
Local Serbs have been protesting against this and have been continuously protesting in front of municipal buildings since May 29th.
