Illegal weapons concern for society, number of Kosovo murders increases

But this was not the only case until now. During the first four months 2022 in Kosovo, 25 murders have occurred, not including May, while 27 murders occurred in 2021.

While the problem is also seen as holding illegal weapons, which are said to be over 250 thousand.

In 2021, police seized 1,280 illegal weapons, while the number of confiscated ammunition is 42,031. While according to security expert Nuredin Ibishi, these murders are being carried out by illegal weapons.

Ibishi has told Kosovo that the trend of firearms murders changes, but worrying remains the large number of illegal weapons of citizens.

” We have cases of serious murder and common murder, and trend sometimes is growth and decline. Disturbing is a large number of weapons in citizens, illegal weapons, as murders are usually done. The other concern is that as long as the police are making the final decision -- that is, concern among the citizens and the victims' families is that they are not making the final decision”, Ibishi said.

As for illegal weapons, in a written response by Kosovo Police, they have said they are constantly taking concrete action to prevent illegal activities.

The ongoing” Police have taken concrete action to prevent illegal activities, whether through police operations for the seizure of illegal weapons or even through different campaigns for awareness of all illegal activities that can directly or indirectly affect overall security”.

As to this issue, Ibishi says illegal weapons liberalisation has once become, but has not met expectations since proper preparations have not been made. And he has mentioned the last case at Ferizaj, where he feels that this murder was committed with illegal weapons.

When we talk about illegal weapons once it has become liberalisation about three years and this actually didn't have any long-awaited outcome or success, because it didn't make the necessary preparations for legalisation of weapons for citizens. Military weapons and other explosives are confiscated. Other ways are needed to reduce the large number of illegal weapons, since usually the killings in Kosovo are under way, as is the last case Friday in Ferizaj”, he said.

Citizens also express concern about the Kosovo killings. Januz Dautaj tells Kosovo Press that the sentences should be stricter.

It's bad, it's harsh and harmful because there are then conflicts that don't stop... The state in cases of murder should react faster, as they are not efficient. There should be no procrastination, and the policy of the judgments should be stricter”, he said.

While Arben Kasapolli says the killings have been multiplied and institutions must take measures urgently, while society should also be aware of the issue.

It's too bad. This is national tragedy, it's happening often, and we need to take precautions... I believe the Kosovo police are doing a phenomenal job, but society in general should be aware of”, he said.

The other citizen, Januz Gejuli, says security organs should increase the number of illegal weapons checks, especially among young people.

Security operations should have more control over people for illegal possession, especially among young people, in schools and should focus on cars... Despite having respect for the Kosovo Police, their mood is more to give fines in communications, but not on security issue”, he said.

While Ismet Selimi thinks the reason for the killings is linked to the weak economic base in Kosovo.

The weak state, small income, economic crisis, causes all of this. Economic basis as weak as it is, people deal with anything”, he said.