YUGOSLAVIA: RELEASE OF BRITISH POLICEMEN

Mr Prangnell and Mr Yore were arrested in Montenegro on 1-2 August 2000 and subsequently held on 'terrorism' and 'espionage' charges in Belgrade. They had been working in Kosovo for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation Europe helping to train local recruits for the United Nations' peacekeeping force. They were arrested along with two Canadian nations, Shaun Going and Liam Hall.

Press reports in August indicated that Mr Prangnell and Mr Yore alleged torture by the authorities.

Mark Lattimer, Amnesty International UK Communications Director, said:

'All along Amnesty International called on the Yugoslav authorities either to release these men or charge them with recognisable crimes.

'With the welcome release of Mr Prangnell and Mr Yore we should remember that there are still prisoners of conscience held in jails throughout the country. These people should be immediately released.'

Background Prisoners of conscience in Yugoslavia include Miroslav Filipovic, a Serbian journalist who reported on alleged Serbian atrocities in Kosovo. Mr Filipovic was arrested on 8 May in Kraljevo, southern Serbia. In secret proceedings before a military tribunal in June he was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. Mr Filipovic, being held at Nis Military Hospital, is currently unwell and may have heart disease. He has been denied vital medical treatment.