The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo has expressed deep concern regarding the increasing number of arbitrary and unprovoked arrests of citizens of the Republic of Kosovo by Serbian authorities.

"The most recent case of the arrest of citizen Behar Preniqi, who was detained yesterday at the Batrovci border crossing between Croatia and Serbia, represents yet another clear example of the unacceptable and destructive practices of the Serbian authorities, which are in open violation of international law and fundamental standards for the protection of human rights," the reaction states, KosovaPress reports.

The MFAD confirmed that the Liaison Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Serbia, immediately after contacting Behar Preniqi’s family, engaged through diplomatic and official channels to obtain accurate and complete information regarding the case.

The Liaison Office has submitted an official request to the Government of Serbia to confirm the arrest and clarify the reasons for his detention.

The MFAD has reiterated its call for citizens of Kosovo to avoid transiting through Serbia.

It should be noted that Serbia arrested Behar Preniqi on allegations of war crimes in Kosovo and alleged participation in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

KosovaPress contacted the KLA War Veterans Association (WVA-KLA) to confirm whether or not Preniqi was a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army.

Hysni Gucati told KosovaPress that Preniqi does not appear in the WVA-KLA archives.

"In our documentation in the veterans’ organization, he is neither a member nor does he have a file, he does not have one. We do not have documentation that he is a KLA veteran, I am sorry because he is a citizen of Kosovo, but he is not in our records," said Gucati.

The claims by Serbian authorities that Preniqi was part of the Kosovo Liberation Army have also been denied by his family, who emphasized that he was a minor—around 16 years old—at the time of the war in Kosovo./KosovaPress