Serbia accused Kosovo of politically motivated retaliation after Kosovar authorities detained three active members of Serbia’s Interior Ministry and one retired police officer at border crossings on June 13.
The Serbian government’s Office for Kosovo said the men were arrested without legal grounds and described the incident as “a politically motivated act of vengeance against the Serbian people.”
According to the statement, the arrested individuals—identified only by their initials N.V. (26), M.M. (28), A.M. (36), and M.S. (53)—have long resided peacefully with their families in Kosovo, while performing police duties in central Serbia. They are currently being held in custody, the office said.
One of the individuals, believed to be Nikola Vujović, had his Kosovo citizenship revoked by Kosovo’s Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla, who stated that Vujović posed a national security threat due to his affiliation with Serbian police forces. This identity has not been independently confirmed by RFE/RL.
The Serbian office also claimed that Kosovo authorities had made an “unlawful decision on deportation” for Vujović. Belgrade said it would notify international partners, including EU special representative Peter Sorensen, of what it calls the “illegal deprivation of liberty.”
Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo remain high following a deadly clash in the northern Kosovo village of Banjska in September 2023, where a group of armed Serbs attacked Kosovar police, resulting in the death of one officer and three assailants.
Earlier this month, Serbia detained former Kosovo Special Police officer Arbnor Spahiu, accusing him of involvement in the Banjska killings. Kosovo has demanded his release, calling the detention unjustified and politically motivated. Spahiu remains in custody under a one-month detention order.
Kosovo authorities have also informed Quint countries (the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Italy) about both cases.