Condition of arrested Serb more stable, concerns for his safety remain - lawyer

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - The lawyer of Dusan Obrenovic, a Serb who was arrested and brutally beaten up by Pristina's police in Zvecan on Monday, said on Friday his client's physical condition was now more stable but that concerns for his safety remained.

"I immediately requested from the correctional service that he be transferred to the Mitrovica prison, and I am waiting for a response," Predrag Miljkovic said.

"I wrote to them, and I will tell you, too, that I am afraid all political tensions in Zvecan have carried over to prison inmates in Gnjilane, and problems can occur very easily. For that reason, I think that transferring him to the Mitrovica centre is the most necessary move," Miljkovic said.

Commenting on photos showing Obrenovic and another Serb, Rados Petrovic, being arrested before the outbreak of clashes in Zvecan - and not after, as Pristina's police and prosecutors claim - Miljkovic said the photos were invaluable for their trial.

"They were arrested while protesting peacefully and sitting on the ground," he said.

Obrenovic and Petrovic have been placed in 30-day custody.