Britain demands Yugoslavia release policemen

LONDON, England -- Britain has demanded the "immediate release" of two British policemen detained in Yugoslavia for two months.

The government has accused Yugoslavia of unnecessarily prolonging the investigation into the pair, who were arrested along with two Canadians on suspicion of terrorism.

The Foreign Office urged Serbia on Monday to free the men after Yugoslav military judges announced another extension to their detention by up to a month.

"The investigation is being prolonged without good reason. We've demanded their immediate release," said a Foreign Office spokesman.

Britons Adrian Prangnell, 41, and John Yore, 31, and Canadians Shaun Going and Liam Hall, who both work for Meridian Resources, a private contractor, were arrested in the border area between Kosovo and Montenegro on August 1.

The Britons, who are employed by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), were training a new police force in Kosovo.

"The men were working for peace and reconciliation with all the ethnic groups in Kosovo and we've told the Serbs that we expect them to implement their international obligations regarding our private consular access and the men's access to a lawyer," added the FO spokesman.

"We are in close touch with their families and recognise the suffering they are undergoing." The four have denied accusations they were planning to mount terrorist attacks in Yugoslavia. Western officials say they had crossed into Montenegro for a short holiday.

Following their arrest, their appointed lawyer, Vojislav Zecevic said the authorities were investigating four possible charges against the men: violating the sovereignty of Yugoslavia; bringing in armed groups, arms and munitions; attempted terrorism; and coercion of military personnel.

Their detention was first extended at the end of August pending further inquiries, and the decision to delay further puts back the time when prosecutors will decide whether to formally charge them or free them.

At the weekend, the chairwoman of the OSCE expressed dismay at the continued detention of the four men.

In a statement, Benita Fererro-Waldner -- who is also Austria's foreign minister -- urged the Yugoslav authorities "to accelerate legal proceedings and to release the men as quickly as possible."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Foreign Office
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

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