Serbian Court Orders Release of 3 Kosovo Police Officers

A Serbian court ordered the release of three Kosovo police officers today, Monday. They had been detained on June 16 at the border between the two countries, in an incident that escalated tensions between Belgrade and Pristina. The Supreme Court stated that one of its committees in the city of Kragujevac confirmed the charges against the three police officers and issued a decision to end their detention. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Kragujevac, located in southwestern Serbia, had accused the officers of manufacturing weapons and explosives, possessing and carrying them, and trafficking them without a permit. The judicial ruling effectively allowed Serbian authorities to maintain the charges while permitting the three to return to Kosovo, away from the reach of the Serbian court. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti confirmed the release of the police officers today. Kurti wrote on Twitter: "While we feel happy for their return to their families, this kidnapping constitutes a serious violation of human rights and must be condemned; Serbian aggression must be held accountable."