UNMIK/PR/511
PDSRSG Gary Matthews today welcomed the Amnesty Law approved by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Parliament which would mean the release of more than 100 Kosovo Albanians detained in Serbian prisons.
“Finally we can welcome back many of those who were held for too long in prison and with their return, a significant step will be taken towards healing some of the wounds of war,” he said.
However Mr. Matthews noted that SRSG Hans Haekkerup, currently attending meetings in Brussels, had demanded no less than the return of all prisoners currently held in the FRY, to Kosovo where they would undergo judicial review by UNMIK.
Mr. Matthews said that UNMIK took note of reports of statements made by FRY Justice Minister Grubac to the FRY Parliament, in which Mr. Grubac reportedly indicated that the 143 residents of Djakovica, held on terrorism charges, could be released soon.
The PDSRSG called on President Vojslav Kostunica to free the Djakovica group and to return all others who are detained as soon as possible.