06/26/2023 1:17 pm (act. 06/26/2023 1:17 pm)
After severe disturbances in northern Kosovo ©APA/AFP
A Serbian court ordered the release of three Kosovo policemen, thus easing the conflict between the two Western Balkan countries. The court in the southwestern city of Kraljevo upheld the charges on Monday but said it had ordered his release.
This allows the Serbian authorities to maintain their charges while the three police officers return to Kosovo more than a week after their arrest and thus escape the Serbian judiciary. According to the indictment, the three police officers were arrested in Serbia. They are accused of manufacturing, possessing, carrying and illicit trafficking in weapons and explosives.
The government in Prishtina declared that Serbia had kidnapped the Kosovo territory police. Like the European Union and the US, Kosovo has demanded the release of the police.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed the release of the three police officers. “Although we are happy that they are able to return to their families, this kidnapping represents a serious violation of human rights and must be punished,” Kurti said on Twitter.
Tensions between the two EU membership hopefuls have risen significantly in recent weeks. Kosovo, mainly Albanian, declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. This is not recognized by either Serbia or the Serb minority in Kosovo. NATO has around 4,000 troops stationed in the Balkan country to keep the peace.