Three Kosovo police officers are under investigation in Serbia. They illegally carried weapons. However, the officials should no longer be suspected of terrorism, according to the initial reactions from Serbia.
According to the prosecutor’s office in Kraljevo, investigations have been launched into “illegal production, possession, transport and distribution of weapons and explosives”. In a first reaction, Petar Petkovic, head of the regional office for Kosovo, spoke on Wednesday about possible terrorism. However, this claim now appears to be off the table. Those arrested face a prison sentence of two to twelve years.
It is not clear exactly where the officers were arrested. According to Serbian authorities, the arrest took place on their territory, 1.8 kilometers from the border with Kosovo. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, on the other hand, even spoke of “kidnapping” in the area of the northern Kosovo municipality of Leposavic, 1.3 kilometers from the border. “Serbia kidnapped her on a road in Kosovo used by Serbian smugglers,” he said verbatim.
Tensions are rising
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied the allegations and accused Kurti of fomenting the conflict. The arrest of the three police officers has further increased tensions between the governments of Serbia and Kosovo. In late May, violent Serbs attacked troops of the NATO-led defense force KFOR in northern Kosovo. Dozens were injured on both sides in the clashes. The trigger for the conflict was the appointment of mayors of Albanian descent that had resulted from elections.
The Kosovo government declared its territory independent in 2008. The Serbian government does not recognize this and still regards Kosovo as part of its territory. Some EU countries have also not recognized independence. Ethnic Serbs live almost exclusively in the north of Kosovo, while ethnic Albanians live almost exclusively in the rest of the country.
US and EU respond
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is currently trying to meet Vucic and Kuri in Brussels next week. The US government has asked the Serb to release the captured police officers. They did not cross the border intentionally, US Deputy Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar said Thursday.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
