International representatives in Kosovo monitoring the Popovic case, but without stronger condemnation – no reactions from the EU or the US

The 30-day detention of Igor Popovic, Assistant Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, due to his statements about the KLA, is considered by official Belgrade a scandalous decision. According to Belgrade, Albin Kurti, unable to resolve the crisis in the Pristina parliament and ahead of local elections, is seeking to provoke conflict and continue his crackdown on Serbs. While Belgrade is demanding a response and condemnation of the arrest from the international community, the replies from some of its representatives in Pristina to Kosovo Online have been rather mild. This time, reactions from EU representatives in Pristina and Brussels, as well as from the US in Kosovo and Washington, are entirely absent.

In response to Kosovo Online's inquiry regarding the arrest of Igor Popovic, the German Embassy replied that they had "taken note of it."

“We expect that all proceedings will be conducted fully in accordance with the rule of law. The Embassy will continue to follow the developments in this case,” stated the German diplomatic mission in Kosovo.

The British Embassy responded in a similar tone – they are following the case, appeal for respect of the rule of law, and advise against politicizing the matter.

“The British Embassy in Pristina is closely monitoring the case and expects that it will be handled with full respect for the rule of law and without politicization,” the embassy told Kosovo Online.

A comparable statement came from the Italian Embassy in Pristina:

“The Italian Embassy is closely monitoring the case and expects full respect for the rule of law and legal procedures,” the embassy said in its reply to Kosovo Online.

EULEX issued a brief statement noting that it is "monitoring the case in accordance with its mandate."

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo also recalled the importance of the rule of law and international standards:

“In line with the principles of impartiality and judicial independence, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo does not comment on ongoing court proceedings. However, we stress the importance of upholding the rule of law, ensuring a fair trial, and guaranteeing that judicial processes are conducted transparently and impartially, in accordance with international human rights standards,” the Mission said in its response to Kosovo Online regarding the 30-day detention order for Igor Popovic.

UNMIK expressed concern over the arrest and called for all prescribed procedures to be carried out swiftly and in accordance with human rights and rule of law standards.

“The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh, has repeatedly called for restraint and for both sides to remain constructively engaged in the EU-facilitated dialogue. UNMIK continues to closely monitor the situation,” the mission added in its response to Kosovo Online.