Eulex mission

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Pristina's police on Wednesday carried out searches on several locations in the north of Kosovo-Metohija in connection with the Banjska case.

In a statement to Tanjug, the regional deputy chief of the so-called Kosovo Police said no arrests had been made for the time being.

BELGRADE, Sept 28 (Tanjug) - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Thursday the Eulex mission had not been allowed to take part in an investigation following last weekend's clashes in Banjska in the north of Kosovo-Metohija because Pristina wanted to hide that the Serbs killed in the clashes had been brutally murdered.

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Srpska lista leader Goran Rakic said on Tuesday he had met with the new head of the Eulex mission Giovanni Pietro Barbano to discuss a withdrawal of special units from the north of Kosovo-Metohija and greater presence of Eulex and Kfor patrols.

PRISTINA - A Pristina basic court has extended a house arrest for former police officer Dejan Pantic by another two months, his lawyer Ljubomir Pantovic told Tanjug on Tuesday.

"Dejan Pantic's house arrest has been extended until July 9," Pantovic said briefly.

These measures were taken in order to enable a quick reaction in the event of a possible escalation of the situation, the response of the NATO mission to Kosovo was reported by "Lajmi". KFOR states that in order to raise awareness of the situation, it increased its presence near the Jarinje and Brnjak administrative crossings.

The lawyer for murdered political party leader Oliver Ivanovic said on Tuesday that allegations made by Malcolm Simmons, former head judge at the EU's rule-of-law mission in Kosovo, showed that the war crimes prosecution of the Kosovo Serb politician was a "fabricated court case".

Their goal is reportedly "to prevent Russian interference in the elections."

In its report, the Times noted that these elections are scheduled for October in BiH.

According to the London daily, British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson, who spoke at a meeting of NATO ministers of defense, confirmed that the soldiers will be deployed in BiH.

"On behalf of the government of the Republic of Serbia and on my personal behalf, I send you sincere congratulations and best wishes for success in performing your new duties," Brnabic said in her message, according to the Serbian government's website.

BELGRADE - Meeting with EULEX Mission head Alexandra Papadopoulo on Thursday, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic highlighted the mission's significance and contribution to preserving the rule of law in Kosovo-Metohija.

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Frederica Mogherini, will be visiting Kosovo for the first time since taking office in November on Thursday, when she plans to meet Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and opposition and minority party representatives.