UK condemns arrests of 'spies'

Adrian Prangnell was one of the Britons paraded on Serb TV

The Foreign Office has condemned the Yugoslav authorities for parading on television two British police officers arrested in Kosovo on suspicion of spying and plotting sabotage.

The two Britons, named by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OCSE) as Adrian Prangnell and John Yore, from the Hampshire and Cambridgeshire forces respectively, were working at a Kosovo police training college.

No evidence was produced to support these charges

Foreign Office

Pictures of the Britons, along with missing Canadian workers Shaun Going and Liam Hall, were broadcast on Yugoslav state television, on Channel 4 and BBC World services on Thursday.

The Foreign Office - which has still to receive official confirmation of the arrests - described the incident as a "clear breach of international obligations".

"We are absolutely sure that our people were not armed.

"It is unacceptable to parade British citizens - policemen seconded to the OSCE as part of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) - before the world's media accused of terrorism and espionage.

John Yore was based at a Kosovo police training college

"No evidence was produced to support these charges. These policemen are playing a key role in maintaining peace in Kosovo, a role endorsed by the UN Security Council.

"It is also unacceptable that the Yugoslav authorities have still not informed the British Interests Section in the Brazilian Embassy in Belgrade of these arrests or provided any information. This is in clear breach of international obligations."

The four men, who were arrested two days ago in the border region between Kosovo and Montenegro, were accused of "terrorist actions" and spying.

Under arrest

Beta news agency in Belgrade quoted the Yugoslav army as saying the four were specially trained in terrorist actions and had been arrested in possession of military equipment and explosives.

It showed them sitting in a room under arrest, and included shots of wires, pliers, and guns that the Serbians allege they were carrying.

Mr Prangnell is a 41-year-old detective sergeant with 22 years' service, based at Waterlooville, and Mr Yore a 31-year-old police constable who formerly carried out traffic duties.

It is believed that the Yugoslav army is using the arrests to put pressure on Montenegro's pro-Western leadership, which opposes Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.

A spokeswoman for OSCE said the four were simply returning to neighbouring Kosovo after a brief holiday.

The men were said to be in possession of various objects

A Yugoslav army statement said: "There are indications that the arrested foreigners were training special units of Montenegrin police and that they are specialists for explosives and terrorist actions."

The incident comes amid rising tensions throughout Yugoslavia ahead of national and presidential elections set for 24 September.

Serbian authorities have recently alleged that special British forces and other foreign experts were training Montenegrin police to prepare for its independence from Yugoslavia.