Nedeljkovic: I didn't participate in anything they attribute to me; they couldn't tell me what exactly they were arresting me for

Serb Slavisa Nedeljkovic, who was arrested today at the Jarinje administrative crossing and released tonight, tells for Kosovo Online that he had been surprised by the arrest, because he had been going to Kosovo ten times a year since 1999 and had never had any problems. He assumes that the police have new lists and warrants, according to which they are reacting, because, as he states, the police officers could not tell him what exactly they were arresting him for, and one of them also told him that "the lists come from 'above'".

"I believe that my arrest was a mistake, it is possible that they mixed me up with someone... I did not take part in any of the events in 1998 and 1999 that they tried to attribute to me," Slavsa said shortly after crossing Jarinje and directed to the family home in Cacak.

He adds that he moved from Kosovo, from the vicinity of Vucitrn, to ack back in 1999 and that he used to go to his hometown ten times a year, and that he had never had any inconvenience before. Before today's arrest, the last time he was in Kosovo was on August 10 of this year - without any problems.

He says that today, like so many times before, they went to his wife's parents, in the vicinity of Vucitrn, but in Jarinje, as soon as he gave his ID card, after a few minutes they first told him to open the trunk. He did so, but then they handcuffed him and told him he was under arrest.

"When they arrested me, they transported me to Mitrovica, and then to Pristina, all the time with handcuffs on my hands. I was questioned by the police for the acts for which they allegedly arrested me, which refer to war crimes against the population. Four of them questioned me and I told them everything I knew about that period and that I was not involved in any of the things they mentioned. They assigned me an official attorney. When I told them everything I had and answered their questions, one of them returned the ID card to me and said - you can go, you are a free man," says Slavisa.

He adds that the police treated him fairly.

"I assume that now they have some new lists and warrants and that they are acting on them, and that they mixed me up with someone. The police officers could not give me accurate information about what they were arresting me for, and one of them told me that the lists came from 'above' and yes, when someone is on the list and gives their identity card, it 'turns red' and then they detain you based on that," says Nedeljkovic.

He says that he is currently in the territory of Serbia, that he is with his family and that he is feeling well now.

"When I left Pristina, I asked one of those policemen if I was safe to leave Kosovo tonight and he told me that I was, but that he could not guarantee me anything for the future. I am convinced that this was a mistake", repeats Slavisa, who is just recovering from the stress he suffered due to the arrest.

He added that during his detention, he was not in contact with any of the family members, because his phone was left in the car.

Slavisa's cousin, Milos Nedeljkovic, expressed his satisfaction that his uncle is back with his family and that he is feeling well.

He says that the entire government in Serbia met the Nedeljkovic family today.

"We would like to thank the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, all the media, President Vucic and everyone who contributed to the quick release of Slavisa. The entire government really came out to meet us today," Milos told for Kosovo Online.

Nedeljkovic was arrested today in Jarinje for an alleged war crime against the civilian population. The Office for Kosovo and Metohija assessed in a statement that it was a campaign of systematic intimidation and persecution of the Serbian people in Kosovo.