Slavko Djordan, 23, from Kragujevac, whom Kosovo police arrested June 28 at Gazimestan was violently beaten at Gnjilane prison, his lawyer Ljubomir Pantovic told Tanjug on Sunday.

Pantovic said he had no information about the condition of the other four Serbs who were arrested at the same time as Djordan, saying he would insist the case be turned over to EULEX.

Djordan's nose was broken and his head hurt when the cops forced him out of his car, held his head and repeatedly slammed it against the car roof, his lawyer said.

Djordan was detained by a group of ten special forces, in full anti-riot gear. When they brought him to Gnjilane, "they beat him with whatever was close at hand," Pantovic said.

Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minster Slobodan Petrovic said he visited Djordan on Saturday and found him well. Pantovic said this was absolutely untrue.

The investigation against the five Serbs is headed by a municipal prosecutor in Pristina, and the other four are defended by court-appointed Albanian counsels, he said.

They have been remanded in custody for one month, Pantovic said.

Djordan is charged with attacking Kosovo police officers who were forced to defend themselves. On the other hand, we have the fact the defendant has been horribly beaten, Pantovic said.

One of the arrested Serbs is in custody in Pristina, and four in Gnjilane.