The Kosovo Police have announced the arrest of a Russian citizen in the village of Grizhan in Zvečan for entering the country irregularly. The arrest took place on June 7 and was reported in the police's 24-hour bulletin, as stated by Rel.
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| Kosovo police officer |
Following the arrest, the suspect was placed in detention by order of the prosecutor.
This incident follows a similar event on May 13, when the Kosovo Police deported two other Russian nationals who had been detained on May 6 for illegal border crossing.
Since 2022, Kosovo has enforced a policy requiring all Russian citizens, including those with diplomatic passports, to obtain a visa for entry, transit, or stay in the country. Prior to this policy, Russian citizens with diplomatic and official passports were allowed to enter, transit, and stay in Kosovo for up to 15 days without a visa.
Although Russia does not recognize Kosovo's independence, the two entities maintain formal relations. The Russian Liaison Office in Pristina, established in 2005, has had a limited public presence.
These measures reflect Kosovo's commitment to regulating and securing its borders, particularly in light of the complex political and diplomatic landscape in the region.