Kosovo Special Prosecution: Detainees in Zubin Potok Suspected of War Crimes Held for 48 Hours

The Kosovo Special Prosecution has ordered a 48-hour detention for two individuals, identified by initials M.J. and M.B., on suspicion of committing war crimes against the civilian population in the Mitrovica region. The arrests were made in Zubin Potok, a predominantly Serb municipality in northern Kosovo.

According to the prosecution's statement, further procedural actions will be undertaken in accordance with current legislation. The investigation into the alleged crimes, which reportedly involved the deaths of 23 Albanian civilians during the 1999 conflict, is ongoing. The Special Prosecution has opted to withhold additional details at this stage to safeguard the integrity of the criminal proceedings.

Lawyer Miloš Delević confirmed that the prosecution has submitted a request to the Basic Court for a pre-trial detention hearing for Momir Jakšić and Miljko Biševac, the individuals identified by the initials. This legal step follows the Kosovo Police's announcement of the arrests, which were made under the suspicion of committing war crimes against the civilian population during the war in Kosovo.

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija reacted to the arrests, characterizing them as "new pressure from the Pristina regime on Serbs in the municipality of Zubin Potok." This statement followed the recent demolition of Serb weekend houses at Gazivode Lake, which the office described as "unlawful and illegal."