Montenegro demands explanation for arrest of its national in Kosovo

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic called the Kosovo government to confirm the arrest of the young man and state the reasons for the arrest.

The Montenegrin man was arrested after telling Kosovo police officers that there was no need to search a nun at the entrance to the Gazimestan site where Serbs traditionally gather on St Vitus day to mark the anniversary of the 1389 battle of Kosovo against the Ottoman army. The man was charged with breach of public order.

Montenegro’s embassy in Pristina said that it would do everything possible to protect the arrested Montenegrin national, the Foreign Ministry in Podgorica said adding that the embassy was in contact with the authorities in Pristina over the arrest. Video footage showed a young man in a black T-shirt being handcuffed by fully armed officers in combat vests and put into a police vehicle. “We have been informed by the Kosovo authorities that they are taking all necessary measures to investigate the case and that the young man will receive legal aid. The Embassy of Montenegro will continue intensive communication to get more information,” the ministry press release said and called political players not to turn this case into another political battle.

Montenegro’s ruling Democratic Front called the government to demand his immediate release, saying that the young man was “abducted by Albanian bullies after protecting a nun who was being mistreated”.

Media reports said that a Kosovo Serb police officer was also removed from the Gazimestan site allegedly after intervening to prevent the young man’s arrest.