Two young men from Podujeva were reportedly arrested on Friday by Serbian authorities under unclear circumstances.
It is suspected that they were detained while waiting for firewood on Serbian territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo (MPJD) has issued a statement regarding the case.
In a response to Klankosova.tv, the MPJD emphasized that it is awaiting confirmation of the incident, the identities of the arrested individuals, and their current location.
“Regarding this case, the Liaison Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Serbia has already sent a formal request to the Serbian Government through Serbia’s Liaison Office in Kosovo to confirm the case and provide other relevant details, including the identities of the arrested individuals and their location,” the response reads.
In addition, the European Union Delegation in Serbia and the diplomatic missions of the Quint countries in Belgrade have been notified.
“Once confirmed, diplomats from the Liaison Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Serbia will formally request to visit the detention center where they are being held,” the response further states.
This arrest represents a flagrant violation of human rights, as Serbia continues to detain individuals arbitrarily without clear reasons. This unlawful action reflects the ongoing disregard for the basic rights and freedoms of citizens, especially ethnic Albanians. Such arbitrary arrests only perpetuate tension and insecurity in the region, and Serbia’s actions must be condemned by the international community.
It is imperative that all involved parties work together to ensure transparency and accountability, and to prevent such violations from happening again. The Kosovo government continues to pursue all diplomatic channels to confirm the identities and circumstances of these unjust arrests and ensure the individuals are treated in accordance with international law.
