MITROVICA - I am absolutely sure that I will prove that I am innocent, but until then I have to pay a high price, told Vecernje Novosti Oliver Ivanovic, one of the Serbian leaders in Kosovo, who is held in custody by the Kosovo authorities from 27 January.

He thinks he's still in prison because of the "artificial political balance", as "proceedings are on-going or are being prepared "against ethnic Albanian politicians in Kosovo.

On the question of how he interprets last week's Court of Appeal decision to reject his appeal against the decision to extend the detention, Ivanovic said that he did not have too high expectations, knowing that in this politically sensitive time, the High Court will not decide to bring a "radical solution" and allow him to defend himself freedom.

"Because at the same time are in progress or are preparing serious actions against prominent Albanian politicians, members of the KLA, and the case of trafficking in human organs, led by the Clint Williamson's special investigation team,which is in final stages administratively," said Ivanovic.

He said that the charges that he participated in crimes against Albanians in 1999 are completely meaningless, because at the time of these events he was in Pristina and worked with many Albanians who then come to work.

"I have a lot of witnesses; I worked with them every day and who will testify. Anyway, I was not recruited, nor did I have any involvement in the events of war. Afterwards, I was politically active, and my political views can be easily checked on the Internet," said Ivanovic.

Asked what the real motive for the accusations is, he said it remains only what he claimed from the beginning - to create artificial political balance with some clearing up that is following among Albanians.

"To avoid potential excessive revolt among them, it is necessary and to arrest some of the Serbs," said Ivanovic.