Kosovo authorities released five Serbs on Tuesday who were detained earlier the same day, after Belgrade stated it will halt EU-mediated talks with Pristina over the arrests.
Jetish Maloku, the head of basic Prosecution in Gjilan/Gnjilan, told BIRN that five Serbsdetained on Tuesday in raids at five different locations in the eastern town of Gjilan/Gnjilane, were released.
“They are free, we are investigating. We are analysing all the evidences that has been confiscated,” he added.
“Based on the request of the Directorate of the Serious Crimes in Pristina, a request from the Prosecution has been filed for raids of a house and other locations of five suspects for activities against the constitutional order and intimidation,” Maloku said.
Kosovo police previously issued a statement saying that five Serbs have been arrested for allegedly being “involved in activities against the constitutional order and security of the Republic of Kosovo”.
Moloku, however, insisted the men were accompanied to the police station but were not “arrested.”
“They [the five Serbs] have not been arrested. I do not know who spread this,” he told BIRN.
Marko Djuric, head of Serbian government Kosovo office, told a press conference earlier on Tuesday that unless Kosovo releases the men by the evening, Belgrade will halt its talks with Pristina “for a long time”.
“Unless they are released by tonight, our message is that there will be no dialogue and there will not be for a long time. And that is President Aleksandar Vucic’s message and a message we gave to the representatives of the European Union,” Djuric said.
Following Djuric’s statement, Kadri Veseli, Kosovo’s parliamentary speaker and head of the ruling the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, said Kosovo would remain dedicated to the dialogue despite this.
“Kosovo institutions are always ready for dialogue and good neighbourly relations,” Veseli said.
He added: “Every provocation from Serbia that damages this process does not contribute to the interest of both countries, which aim to normalize relations and achieve stability and peace in the Balkans.”
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