Serbia arrests eight for Kosovo Albanian papers bribery

(BELGRADE) - Serbian police said Tuesday they had arrested eight people, including three officials, for taking bribes to issue documents such as proof of citizenship to Kosovo Albanians.

The documents -- birth and marriage certificates and proof of Serbian citizenship -- are needed to obtain new biometric passports that allow Serbian citizens to travel throughout the European Union without a visa.

Two registrars, one administrator and five middlemen have been arrested, police said in a statement.

They are accused of "demanding and receiving 50 to 100 euros (69 to 137 dollars) bribe per document from a number of (Kosovo) ethnic Albanians residing abroad to speed up issuing" their birth and marriage certificates and proof of citizenship.

A number of Kosovo Albanians have reportedly tried to get Serbian passports despite Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence from the country in February 2008.

Following the secession, Kosovo began issuing new personal documents to its citizens, including passports, but holders need to obtain a visa in order to travel to most EU states.

Serbia, which rejected the secession and challenged its legality in the International Court of Justice, says citizens of Kosovo, including ethnic Albanians, are entitled to Serbian citizenship and documents, such as passports.

While Kosovo citizens living in Kosovo can obtain Serb passports, they are in a special category which still requires visas to visit most EU states.

In an apparent loophole in the system, this does not apply for Kosovo citizens living abroad who can take a regular Serb passport allowing visa-free travel in the EU if they provide all the necessary documents.