Serbian Interior Ministry: Deputy head of Pristina's police in 48-hour custody

BELGRADE - Dejan Jankovic, deputy head of the so-called Kosovo Police, who was on Wednesday detained alongside three other members of Pristina's police force, has been placed in 48-hour custody for necessary checks concerning the security of the Republic of Serbia and establishment of facts, the Serbian Interior Ministry told Tanjug on Thursday.

It said the other three members of Pristina's police had been released following security checks.

Previously, the ministry confirmed the four men had been detained at a border crossing with Croatia on Wednesday and that one of them was being held.

In a statement on Wednesday, the ministry dismissed as unfounded allegations by Pristina that buses with licence plates issued in the territory of Kosovo-Metohija had been held back at the Batrovci crossing.

It also said checks of all passengers had been stepped up at border crossings - including for security checks aimed at ensuring greater safety and security to citizens - potentially resulting in longer delays.