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| Renowned Kosovar analyst Fatmir Sheholli, suspected of espionage, in one of his public appearances on Pristina television. |
Sheholli was arrested in early October in Pristina, but so far, the prosecution has provided few details about his activities or who he is alleged to have spied for. However, statements made by government officials shortly after his arrest suggest possible links to Serbian intelligence operations.
Minister Suggests Ties to Serbia
Following the arrest, acting Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla posted a statement on Facebook, implying that Sheholli might have been collaborating with Serbia. “We remain committed to defending our country from all circles that seek to endanger it for their own gain. The era of Serbia’s spies in Kosovo is over,” Sveçla wrote in October.
Sveçla also criticized Sheholli’s previous media presence, claiming he enjoyed “unlimited space in Kosovo’s media landscape” and that he had “collaborated with actors who daily work to undermine our Republic and its progress.”
The case has stirred public debate, especially regarding the extent of Serbian intelligence operations in Kosovo and the challenges the country faces in protecting its institutions and national security.
A Pattern of Espionage Cases in Kosovo
This is not the first high-profile espionage case in Kosovo in recent years. Authorities have arrested, charged, and convicted both ethnic Serbs and Albanians on allegations of spying for Serbia’s intelligence service, the BIA (Bezbednosno-informativna agencija).
In June 2024, the Pristina Basic Court sentenced Aleksandar Vllajić to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to involvement in espionage activities as part of the Serbian Intelligence and Security Agency.
Two other individuals, Bedri Shabani and Muharrem Qerimi, are currently on trial on similar charges. Both men have pleaded not guilty, denying accusations that they provided sensitive information to Serbian intelligence, including details related to Kosovo’s security institutions, the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK), and the Reçak massacre—one of the most painful chapters of Kosovo’s modern history.
In another ongoing case, Jellena Gjukanović, an ethnic Serb, is being tried for alleged espionage on behalf of Serbian intelligence. She has also denied any wrongdoing.
Espionage: A Growing Threat to Kosovo’s Security
Espionage in Kosovo is legally defined as the secret collection, transmission, or dissemination of sensitive information to another state, organization, or entity. Under the Kosovo Criminal Code, espionage is considered a serious criminal offense, punishable by a minimum of five years in prison for those found guilty.
Security experts in Kosovo have warned that espionage represents one of the most significant ongoing threats to the country’s sovereignty and internal stability. According to Burim Ramadani, former Chief Inspector of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (AKI), espionage is not merely an isolated crime but a strategic weapon used to weaken Kosovo’s national security framework and its international standing.
“Espionage activities do not just collect intelligence; they seek to destabilize institutions and erode trust between Kosovo and its international partners,” Ramadani stated in a recent interview.
The Broader Geopolitical Context
Analysts argue that Kosovo remains vulnerable due to its geopolitical position in the Balkans and ongoing tensions with Serbia. Despite progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, Serbia has not recognized Kosovo’s independence and continues to wield significant influence, especially in the Serb-majority north.
Kosovo’s authorities believe that espionage cases linked to Serbia’s BIA are part of a broader hybrid campaign involving disinformation, cyber infiltration, and political interference designed to undermine Kosovo’s statehood.
Ongoing Investigations and Unanswered Questions
For now, the details of the Sheholli case remain largely confidential. Prosecutors have refrained from disclosing evidence or identifying possible collaborators, citing the sensitivity of ongoing investigations.
Still, the decision to extend Sheholli’s detention underscores the seriousness of the charges and the potential implications for Kosovo’s security landscape.
As the investigation unfolds, observers expect that the case could reveal more about the scope of foreign intelligence operations in Kosovo—and how deeply they may have penetrated local institutions, media, and civil networks.
What is clear, however, is that Kosovo’s judicial and security bodies are stepping up their vigilance against espionage. The coming months will show whether these efforts can effectively deter future infiltration attempts and strengthen the country's national defense mechanisms in a region where the struggle for influence remains ongoing.