Spyage challenges security in Kosovo

The acts of spying directly endanger the judiciary and constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo, as well as the security of its officials and citizens, says Special Prosecutor Bekim Kodraliu.

However, it ensures that this facility is prepared and ready to take investigative action at any moment for such cases.

“During the handling of these cases, the prosecution acts in close co-ordination and co-operation with all security institutions in Kosovo”, he tells Radio Free Europe, broadcast Periscope.

As a result of this work, Kodraliu specifically cites the first act of spying in Kosovo, given former police officials Aleksandar Vlasjic.

Vlajjic was sentenced on June 5th by the Constitutional Court in Pristina to five years in prison after acknowledging that he was involved in spying as a member of the Serbian Intelligence and Security Agency BIA.

This month, another Kosovo police official, also of Serbian nationality, was sent to custody under spying allegations.

Acting Minister of Internal Affairs Jedal Svecla indicated that Bojan Jevtijq “is the sixth consecutive arrest in Kosovo's” spying cases, without specifying the timing of the arrests.

Earlier this year, Radio Free Europe reported on the arrest of Jelena Djukanovic, Serbian from Kosovo, on spying charges.

In June of last year, Bedri Shabani and Muharrem Qerim were also arrested after allegedly spying on BIA.

Is Kosovo under a Serbian intelligence offensive?
Free Radio Europe asked the Kosovo Police whether the country is facing a Serbian intelligence offensive and how prepared it is to retaliate, but received no clarification.

At a media conference on July 22nd, Kosovo Police General Director Gazmend Hoxha said the security situation, in general, is calm and stable.

“We know Serbia's policy goals, especially its institutions. It's not that they've always been or at all were in support of peace and security in our country. We are prepared for all challenges that can happen in our country”, Hoxha said.

Security expert Valdet Hoxha does not rule out the possibility that the services of non-friendly countries especially the Serbian ones are exploiting the moment.

He says that periods of political uncertainty, such as what Kosovo is currently going through, are usually favourable for invisible activities like spying.

However, it stresses that these actions are not necessarily new or related only to the last period, despite arrests.

What Is the Goal of Harming Spys?
Hoxha, who has also served as deputy minister of Internal Affairs in the past, explains that spying, in essence, is aimed at damaging Kosovo's national security.

“This activity tries to weaken and compromise state institutions, cause economic damage, foster internal conflicts and other actions, which undermine normal functioning of the state and create the perception of a failed state”, he tells Radio Free Europe.

In the same spirit, Burim Ramadani, former chief inspector of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, warns that Serbian intelligence does not stop for a moment in efforts to destabilise Kosovo from within.

According to him, it uses every opportunity to undermine the foundations of the state and democracy.

Serbia is continuing its special war on Kosovo, including spying, sabotaging, impact on decision-making and influence of the Serbian community”, Ramadani says of Radio Free Europe.

In recent years, some have been declared undesirable in Kosovo and have been deported because of the endangerment of national security.

While the damage caused is difficult to measure, according to experts, Serbia consistently denies it is involved in such activities in Kosovo.

Is Kosovo sufficiently prepared?
The answer by both experts is firm: yes.

Ramadani stresses that Kosovo has been constantly working to strengthen its capacities against this threat.

The arrests and confrontation with justice are instruments that are envisioned when necessary. While the rest of the affordable activities are related to the weakening and depreciation of these” interventions, he says.

Hoxha, on the other hand, underscores the importance of co-operation with international partners in the field of intelligence, which, according to him, “is at an excellent level”.

Kosovo, thankfully, has built the legal framework for the proper functioning of competent mechanisms in the field of security”, he says.

With the Kosovo Criminal Code, the spying is considered a serious crime and is sentenced to minimum five years in prison, if guilt is confirmed.

Serbia as constant threat
In recent weeks, Kosovo's state leadership has particularly raised its voice to Serbia, naming it a constant source of threat to the country's security.

President Vjosa Osmani said on July 15th that Serbia, consistently, tries to destabilise Kosovo ʹ even with “act aggression”.

The incumbent Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, reacted sharply to Serbian President Aleksandar Vuciq's statements made following the arrest of a Serbian official by Kosovo authorities, calling them threatening and destabilizing.

Vuciq warned “unpredictable consequences” following the arrest of Igor Popovic, assistant director of the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia who was sent to custody for “inciting division and non-compliance”.

Kurti also called on Kosovo citizens to avoid travel through Serbia, since, as he said, “there are indicators” for provocations and arbitrary bans of Kosovo citizens.

The recent major escalation of the situation in Kosovo occurred in September 2023, when a group of armed Serbs, led by Milan Radojic, attacked Kosovo Police in Banjska, killing a policeman.

Pristina named it a terrorist attack and orchestrated by Serbia, but Belgrade denied any responsibility.

In the Kosovo Security Strategy for 2022-27, Serbia is described as the main security threat for the Republic of Kosovo.

A report of Croatian intelligence this month warned of the constant risk of tensions in Kosovo.

In the course of these developments, former Deputy Interior Minister Valdet Hoxha stresses the need for continued vigilance and adaptable measures.

It suggests reinforceing institutional co-ordination, increasing co-operation with strategic partners and harmonising the legal framework to deal with threats such as spying and others effectively. /Periscope/