Protest held over request to extend detention for Kosovo Serb

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Kosovo Serbs held a protest in North Mitrovica on Thursday over a request by Pristina's prosecution office that the detention of Serb Sladjan Trajkovic be extended by a further two months, the Kosovo Online news portal reported.

Trajkovic is a former Kosovo Police officer arrested in North Mitrovica on December 15 on charges of alleged involvement in war crimes committed in Vucitrn in 1999.

His lawyer Dejan Vasic said a decision on whether the detention would be extended was due on Thursday or Friday.

"I insisted that his friends gather today so that the Pristina court that is to make a decision sees that picture and takes into account that criminal proceedings can be underway with a less strict measure. What we want is that Sladjan be allowed to go home and to fight the false accusations he has been charged with," Vasic said.

He said Trajkovic's health condition was very complex as he had been suffering from chronic illnesses before his incarceration.

Vasic said that Trajkovic's condition had deteriorated drastically due to inadequate treatment and accommodation and due to inadequacy of medical staff.

"I think he would need to be transferred to the North Mitrovica hospital urgently in order to save his life. Having known Sladjan for many years and having spoken with people who have known him for a long time, I am certain he has absolutely nothing to do with the things he has been charged with," Vasic said, adding that he believed Trajkovic would be released to house arrest until the end of the investigation.