Global Courant
Belgrade Serbia
Kosovo decided on Wednesday to ban cars with Serbian license plates from entering the country as a security measure, after Serbia arrested three Kosovo police officers.
“For security reasons (Kosovo) institutions have decided to increase the level of border controls. Therefore, as an urgent step, it was decided to ban cars with Serbian license plates from entering the Republic of Kosovo. Government spokesperson Perparim Krieziu said that the situation of the security institutions continues.
Earlier, Kosovo media reported that the government also banned the import of goods from Serbia.
Nemanja Starovic, undersecretary of the Serbian Ministry of Defense, said that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti violated numerous agreements by banning the entry of Serbian products, including the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).
“This move is aimed at Serbs living in the north of Kosovo, who duly procure all basic food and medical supplies from Serbia. If implemented, such an illegal measure could lead to a humanitarian disaster,” Starovic said.
He described the decision as ‘imposing a full-fledged occupation of the region’.
Serbia on Wednesday detained three Kosovo police officers, saying they were “planning an action in Serbia”.
The Interior Ministry said the officers were armed with automatic weapons and full combat gear when they were arrested by special counter-terrorism units of the Serbian Police, and had GPS devices, maps and other equipment.
However, Kurti demanded on social media that the police officers were kidnapped by Serbia and their immediate release, while urging other countries to condemn the operation.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Kurti wanted to start a war over the arrest by Kosovo police of Serbian Milan Lune Milenković, the coach of a kick-boxing club from Kosovska Mitrovica, whom they say is the leader of organized crime and smuggling.
Tensions have risen in Kosovo after the election of ethnic Albanian mayors in the four Serb-dominated northern regions last month.
Ethnic Serbs have been protesting the election of mayors since the end of May.
At least 30 KFOR soldiers were injured in a clash on 29 May with protesting Serbs who tried to prevent the newly elected mayor of the municipality of Zvecan from entering the town hall for his inauguration before taking office.
According to hospital sources, more than 53 civilians were also injured by stun grenades and tear gas.
Kosovo police said at least five people were detained following the clashes.
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