BBC News Online: World: Europe

British troops arrest Serb suspect

Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Robin Hodges said the suspect, who has not been identified, was a member of the Serbian Interior Ministry police.

The arrest came amid growing concern about violence in the province, with some returning Kosovo Albanians determined to seek revenge on Serbs.

On Saturday an advance party of Russian peacekeepers flew into Pristina, the first of a 3,000-strong force. More troops are expected on Monday.

Pristina airport had been closed since about 200 Russian soldiers beat Nato forces into Kosovo two weeks ago, provoking a stand-off between the two sides.

The war crimes suspect was arrested at his home in Lipijan, about 10 miles south of the capital Pristina.

The man - who is not on a list of suspects indicted by the international war crimes tribunal - was arrested after a number of witnesses gave statements, saying they had seen some of the murders.

Lieut Col Hodges said: "He is being held in detention by the British Army and the expectation is that he will be held until we receive instructions from the international criminal tribunal.

"We do not believe the 56 murders were carried out at the same time. We think they were a series of incidents."

British forces had been given evidence after entering the area on 16 June.

Angry march

Tensions between ethnic groups in Kosovo continue to mount.

In Mitrovica, Kosovo Albanian leader Hashim Thaci defused a potentially violent confrontation on Saturday when he stopped hundreds of people marching into the Serb-held side of the town.

Mr Thaci, along with firm action by French troops, persuaded the crowds to retreat. "We want to solve our problems peacefully," he said.

He was accompanied by the UN special envoy for Kosovo, Sergio Vieiria de Mello, who said the march "would be a disaster" if it proceeded.

The UNHCR has said it will organise the full-scale return of refugees to Kosovo from Monday.

(Click here to see a map showing refugee movements)

Ron Redmond, UNHCR spokesman in Pristina, said that 10 buses would run from two camps in Macedonia, with buses from camps in Albania planned for the following days.

Meanwhile in Yugoslavia, the state of war imposed three months ago was lifted on Saturday, but opposition politicians feared that some restrictions would continue.

Hundreds of Yugoslav army reservists who served in Kosovo during the Nato bombing campaign ended protests in a number of towns in central Serbia.

The reservists removed armoured vehicles they have been using to block roads and bridges in a protest over wages, after the intervention of senior army officers.

In Montenegro, the republic which, with Serbia, makes up Yugoslavia, the army has begun dismantling roadblocks and demobilising reserve forces.

• Russians arrive in Kosovo
• Coup fears as Montenegro demobilises
• Reward for Milosevic capture
• Eyewitness: When society breaks down
• Kosovo Kid replaces bullets with fists

(click here to return)

Relevant Stories

Kosovo Albanian leader averts violent clash (26 Jun 99 | Europe)
Russians arrive in Kosovo (26 Jun 99 | Europe)
Coup fears as Montenegro demobilises (26 Jun 99 | Europe)
Kosovo refugees flood back (26 Jun 99 | Europe)
Analysis: How Yugoslavia hid its tanks (25 Jun 99 | Europe)
When society breaks down (25 Jun 99 | Europe)
Reward for Milosevic capture (25 Jun 99 | Europe)
Serbs: 'Where is K-For?' (25 Jun 99 | Europe)
Kosovo Kid replaces bullets with fists (24 Jun 99 | Europe)

Internet Links

Nato
Serb Ministry of Information
Kosovo Crisis Centre
UNHCR: The Kosovo Crisis

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

In this section

Violence greets Clinton visit
Russian forces pound Grozny
EU fraud: a billion dollar bill
Next steps for peace
Cardinal may face loan-shark charges
Vodafone takeover battle heats up (From Business)
Trans-Turkish pipeline deal signed
French party seeks new leader
Jube tube debut
Athens riots for Clinton visit
UN envoy discusses Chechnya in Moscow
Solana new Western European Union chief
Moldova's PM-designate withdraws
Chechen government welcomes summit
In pictures: Clinton's violent welcome
Georgia protests over Russian 'attack'
UN chief: No Chechen 'catastrophe'
New arms control treaty for Europe
Mannesmann fights back (From Business)
EU fraud -- a billion-dollar bill
New moves in Spain's terror scandal
EU allows labelling of British beef
UN seeks more security in Chechnya
Athens riots for Clinton visit
Russia's media war over Chechnya
Homeless suffer as quake toll rises
Analysis: East-West relations must shift