UNMIK/PR/1127
PRISTINA – SRSG Harri Holkeri has expressed concern over the brief detention of the Kosovo Protection Corps Commander General Agim Ceku at Budapest airport on 29 February 2004 allegedly on the basis of a Serbian arrest warrant, which UNMIK has qualified as invalid.
UNMIK intervened with Hungarian diplomatic representatives to ensure early release of General Ceku and all efforts are being made to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.
UNMIK’s position on the matter has been repeatedly clarified to Serbian and other authorities concerned. The same was reasserted in the latest Secretary General’s report to the Security Council, which stated that the arrest warrant for the head of the KPC issued by the parallel district court of Pristina operating from Nis is invalid as this court lacks jurisdiction in this matter.
UNMIK has been engaged in dialogue with Interpol to resolve the issue of outstanding Serbian arrest warrants relating to residents of Kosovo that have no validity. UNMIK has had exchanges with the European Commission in Brussels on the matter and also plans to intervene with countries currently offering direct flights to Kosovo to avoid the occurrence of such incidents in the future.