According to security experts in Kosovo, members of the diaspora traveling home through Serbia may increasingly become targets of Serbian authorities. Following the arrest of Osman Selmani, renewed calls have been made urging travelers to avoid transiting through Serbia.
Over the past eight years, 15 Kosovo citizens have been detained on similar allegations.
On July 1, Osman Selmani was arrested at the Mutivodë border crossing.
Although Serbian authorities alleged that he had been a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Selmani was ordered to remain in 30 days of pre-trial detention.
On Friday, the Organization of KLA War Veterans clarified that Selmani was not listed as having been a member of the KLA and reiterated its appeal for citizens to avoid traveling through Serbia.
“These arrests have continued without interruption since the end of the war. We therefore call on all our compatriots not to use this route, especially now that many members of the diaspora will be returning home for the holiday season,” said Gazmend Syla, Deputy Chairman of the Organization of KLA War Veterans.
Syla added that Serbia’s approach toward Kosovo citizens has remained unchanged over the years.
Security expert Drizan Shala also warned that members of the diaspora—whose numbers increase significantly during July and August—could become targets of Serbian security structures.
“The Serbian state, in the current phase, is likely to target many of our citizens traveling to Kosovo through Serbian territory. Serbian security structures have collected information on individuals who have previously passed through Serbia and have compiled files on them,” Shala said.
Meanwhile, the television broadcaster reporting the story said it sought a response from Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora regarding the issue, but had not received a reply.
