Koci: At the last three border crossings with Serbia, I'm forbidden without explanation

Koci explains that the move is deliberate and relates to its role in the legal protection of Kosovo citizens suspected of alleged war crimes, as well as its function as connection between local lawyers and households, ensuring precise communication and overcoming language barriers.

He considers this institutional pressure an attempt to limit the exercise of his profession, but stresses that he always acts in accordance with the law and requires that every citizen of Kosovo be treated according to the European Convention on Human Rights and Local Laws.

Full Posting:

At the last three crossings on the border with Serbia, I am being stopped for additional verification. No explanation.

The procedure is the same every time.

The Serbian policeman gets my document without interest. I am one of many citizens entering Serbia.

As soon as he scans my ID, opens his eyes, looks at me, then the screen. You want me to park by the side.

He leaves the cabin and goes to the main object. It's a check-up and phone consultations.

I'm waiting.

This lasts from 13 to 30 minutes.

Return. The document is given to me without explanation. I'm told I can continue.

Same procedure, three times in a row.

On these three occasions I was in the official car of the Interconnecting Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Belgrade, along with the Office Chief.

So far, for years I've been through without any obstacle.

My activity in co-ordinating the protection of Kosovo citizens suspected by Serbian authorities of alleged war crimes is hampering state structures there.

So this change of my status in border systems is not random. It is evident that I am subject to monitoring by security organs in Serbia.

There, in addition to my role as a lawyer in high school cases, I am also the connection between the local lawyer and the family, as well as the person who provides effective language barriers and guarantees accurate communication.

For this very role, I'm on surveillance.

This is institutional pressure intended to intervene in legal protection and limit my profession's exercise.

If there was any legal procedure against me, I'd be notified. I've already passed the extra “” several times.

However, I act in accordance with law at every step and in any jurisdiction I exercise my profession. Serbia is no exception.

My request is clear even there: any Kosovo citizen in Serbia is treated according to the European Convention for Human Rights and Local Laws in Action.

My commitment will continue. It doesn't hurt and nobody scares me in my business.

This publication is made for a single reason: in case of an evental incident during the exercise of my duty as a lawyer in Serbia, there is a documented context of this situation. /Periscope