House arrest for Pantic officially confirmed - lawyer

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - The lawyer of Dejan Pantic, a Kosovo-Metohija Serb arrested by Pristina at the Jarinje administrative crossing earlier this month, confirmed to Tanjug on Wednesday his client's detention had been replaced by house arrest.

"It has been officially confirmed to us and we have received an email saying that the detention ordered for Dejan has been replaced by house arrest until January 9 pursuant to the initial detention order," said lawyer Nebojsa Vlajic, adding that a decision on further detention would be made after that date.

He said Pantic's whereabouts were unknown and that, according to official information, he had been held at Pristina's police base near the Jarinje administrative crossing.

Vlajic said the decision was a great relief, especially to Pantic and his family.