MISINFORMATION REGARDING ARRESTS

UNMIK Police arrested four K-Albanian males on 18-06-02 for alleged crimes committed during 1999. The four men were arrested at various locations around Kosovo and all four of them remain in custody pending review of the allegations by the Investigative Judge. The arrests were conducted in a professional manner and the suspects were treated with appropriate respect in accordance with internationally recognized standards of democratic policing & human rights.

All of the suspects benefit from the protections afforded via an UNMIK Regulation formalizing the rights of arrestees in Kosovo (see additionally attached press release dated 29-10-01). In addition to the legal rights, UNMIK Police policy is to not identify arrestees prior to the review & confirmation of an arrest by the Investigative Judge supervising the case. This is done to protect the privacy of the arrestees and their families.

Unfortunately, misinformation regarding these arrests was printed or broadcast by the news media in Kosovo. The misinformation was based on a Communiqué irresponsibly issued by the Kosovo Protection Corps and the news media failed to confirm its claims with UNMIK Police.

The Communiqué named some of the suspects - thus destroying their privacy, incorrectly stated two were released, claimed UNMIK Police "arrested and kidnapped people without a trace and maltreated people without reason", and claimed UNMIK Police cannot be trusted.

UNMIK Police are deeply disappointed in the lapse in professionalism on the part of the Kosovo news media and hope it will not be repeated. Regarding the allegations of misconduct by police, any citizen who has been mistreated by a police officer should immediately report the incident to our Internal Investigations Unit.

Derek CHAPPELL
Chief of Press & Public Information
Barry FLETCHER
Deputy Chief of Press & Public Information

Office of Press and Public Information
UNMIK Police Main HQ, Pristina