http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/9497/


Kosovo Serbs Slam Terrorism Charges



Jarinja border crossing after it was torched in February18 April 2008 Mitrovica _ Kosovo Serb politicians have condemned charges, which include terrorism, against 21 ethnic Serbs for burning down two border crossings.

The Serb National Council President in northern Kosovo, Milan Ivanovic blamed the ethnic Albanian-led Kosovo Police Service, KPS for the “intentionally constructed charges” against Serbs.

“The KPS wasn’t present at the northern border crossing when they were burnt down therefore they cannot have any facts or evidence for charges against Serbs,” Ivanovic told Balkan Insight. He expressed hope that international judges will, as he said “reject all charges based on false evidence.”

Police on Thursday charged 21 Kosovo Serbs for burning down two border crossings at Jarinja and Brnjak in the days following Pristina's declaration of independence.

“After thorough investigation and inquiries to collect evidence and identify the suspects, the Serious Crimes Unit with the (United Nations Mission in Kosovo) UNMIK Prosecutor has brought charges against 21 Kosovo Serb suspects,” the KPS said in a statement.

The charges include terrorism, the violation of public order, assault against officials and the destruction of public property. Read more: http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/9458/

Responding to rumours that some Serb leaders have been charged, Ivanovic argued Pristina was aiming to “remove Serb representatives from northern Kosovo and create an ‘independent quasi state’ on Serbian territory.”

KPS spokesman Veton Elshani confirmed on Thursday that seven Serbs are suspected of burning down the border crossing at Brnjak, near the northwest town of Zubin Potok, and another 14 for the same act at Jarinje crossing, in the far north of Kosovo by the town of Leposavic.

Elshani refused to comment on claims that Serb leaders are on the list of those charged.

The violence erupted after Kosovo Serbs were protesting that Pristina's declaration of independence would see new trade and travel restrictions imposed along the border with Serbia.

The unrest forced UN and Kosovo Police officers to evacuate the posts while NATO troops were eventually brought in to secure the sites and closed Kosovo's borders for a 24 hour period.

The Serb minority in Kosovo has continued to defy to the authority of Pristina's leaders and continues to remain loyal to Belgrade which furnishes them with financial and political assistance.