Kosovo: Extremist student leader arrested

ADN KRONOS INTERNATIONAL (ITALY), Nov-20-06 14:40

Pristina, 20 Nov. (AKI) - Kosovo police on Monday arrested Albin Kurti, the leader of an extremist ethnic Albanian student organisation, Vetevendosje (Self-determination), local media reported. Kurti was arrested in his Pristina office, after failing to appear in court in connection with recent unrest, police said. The group has opposed ongoing United Nations sponsored talks on the status of the breakaway province, which has been under UN control since 1999, and demands that Kosovo unilaterally declare independence.

Vetevendosje has organised several protests in Pristina against the UN administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the local authorities. Scores of Vetevendosje's members were arrested during demonstrations last month and charged with disorderly conduct.

Ethnic Albanians, who outnumber the remaining Serbs in Kosovo by 17 to one, demand independence from Serbia - opposed by Belgrade and Serbs in the province. The UN's top envoy to Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, is expected early next year to make a proposal on Kosovo's future status. Ahtisaari's proposal is likely to be make in immediately after early parliamentary elections in Serbia at the end of January.

Meanwhile, Vetevendosje has planned mass demonstrations in Pristina on November 28, demanding that the parliament proclaims independence.