The Ombudsman, Naim Qelaj, together with his deputies, Marija Radulovic and Niman Hajdari, held a video meeting with Dejan Pantic today, unable to visit him at the detention center where he is being held, due to the barricades.

Pantic was arrested by the Kosovo Police at the border point in Jarinje, where he is being held in custody by court decision, unable to be transferred to any detention center due to the created situation.

"He has a defense lawyer and he had an online meeting with him, while on December 22, 2022, they talked over the phone. The family has been notified of the fact that he was arrested and sent to detention. So far, he has not met with them, since meetings and phone calls are subject to permission from the competent court. Regarding his health condition, he said that he suffers from tension, but is receiving adequate therapy. He is also using the medications that his family brought him. He emphasized that he was also provided with a bed to sleep on and that he was handed the court decision for setting the measure of detention. He has requested to be allowed to be visited by the defense lawyer and the family, and to be accommodated in the Detention Center in Mitrovica and not in any other center. The Ombudsman thanks the Kosovo Police for enabling this contact despite the exceptional conditions in which they are working. The Ombudsman asks all the competent bodies to do their best so that Pantic is treated in accordance with the legislation, respecting all the rights that belong to him", the announcement states.