EULEX: Extremely serious allegations of abuse by the Kosovo Police

We have taken note with deep concern of the extremely serious allegations of abuse by the Kosovo Police and, in accordance with our mandate, we will closely monitor the case with the relevant authorities, EULEX said in a written response to Kosovo Online regarding the case of Nenad Raskovic, who said that three Kosovo Police officers dragged him out from his family home yesterday, after which they tied him to a tree and brutally beat him.

EULEX further stressed in its response that the prohibition of any form of abuse is absolute and applies under all circumstances.

"Every allegation of abuse must be promptly, independently and effectively investigated by the competent authorities, and those found responsible for such conduct must be held accountable," the Mission said.

Regarding the request from the Serb List, which called on representatives of the international community, KFOR and EULEX to urgently investigate all allegations concerning the incident and take measures within their respective mandates to establish all the facts and ensure the protection of citizens' rights and safety, EULEX responded:

"We would also like to remind you that conducting criminal investigations does not fall within EULEX's mandate."

Nenad Raskovic told Kosovo Online yesterday that three Kosovo Police officers removed him from his family home, after which they tied him to a tree and beat him, demanding that he hand over a rifle which, he said, he did not have.

"Three of them came to my house in Dren, and when they arrived, they threw me onto the bed and beat me. They asked for a rifle. I don't have a rifle. After that, they said they would come back and that I should have a rifle," Raskovic recounted.

He added that they then handcuffed him, took him into the woods, and tied him to a beech tree.

"They beat me with a hose and put a cloth over my mouth," he added.