Kosovo: UN launches probe into allegations of sexual assault by police officer

A police officer serving with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has been arrested on allegations of sexual assault, a spokesman for the mission said today.

The officer, who was stationed in Mitrovica, was taken into custody and interviewed by UN police, UNMIK police spokesman Dean Olson told reporters in Pristina.

Once the investigation has been completed, an international prosecutor will evaluate the facts and decide whether to proceed to trial before an international judge.

"This is a criminal investigation, not an internal one, and will be treated accordingly," said Mr. Olson, who declined to provide more information on the case.

Meanwhile, UNMIK expressed concern over the closure of the border between Kosovo and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which has impeded rotations of UN police.

The border closure currently does not effect shipment of medical supplies but could pose a problem at the end of the week when the next delivery is due, an UNMIK spokeswoman said.