Kosovo ex-PM arrested in France at Serbia's request
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 January 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kosovo ex-PM arrested in France at Serbia's request, 4 January 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a3edc.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 04, 2017
Ramush Haradinaj was tried and acquitted twice of war crimes at a United Nations court in The Hague.
French police have arrested former Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj on a Serbian war crimes warrant, Kosovo's Foreign Ministry says.
Haradinaj, a former guerrilla commander during Kosovo's 1998-99 war, is accused by Serbia of committing war crimes during the conflict in the former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008.
Kosovo Foreign Ministry said on January 4 in a statement that "he was stopped by French authorities based on an arrest warrant issued by Serbia in 2004, which for us is unacceptable."
The ministry said it was doing everything possible to secure Haradinaj's release.
The Reuters news agency quoted unnamed French police sources as saying Haradinaj was arrested upon his arrival at Basel-Mulhouse airport in eastern France on a flight from Pristina.
Haradinaj served briefly as prime minister of Kosovo in 2004 and 2005. He was tried and acquitted twice of war crimes at a United Nations court in The Hague.
In June 2015, Haradinaj was arrested in Slovenia on a Serbian warrant but was released two days later under diplomatic pressure.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Balkaninsight.com
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
