The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said on Friday that the espionage case involving its employee, Jellena Gjukanović, “concerns an individual,” while adding that it respects the decision of the court in Pristina to sentence her to six years in prison.
On April 27, the Basic Court found Gjukanović guilty and sentenced her to six years’ imprisonment for espionage against Kosovo.
Asked by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty about the ruling, the OSCE declined to comment on the case in detail, but stated that “the mission respects the role of the judiciary and the fundamental legal principles of due process and presumption [of innocence], as well as the court’s decision” regarding Gjukanović.
Gjukanović, from North Mitrovica, was arrested at the Jarinje border crossing in northern Kosovo in February 2025 and has remained in detention since.
She has denied the charges, while prosecutors had sought a sentence of 25 years in prison.
Gjukanović was convicted on charges that she transferred data to the BIA, thereby endangering Kosovo’s constitutional order and national security.
Special prosecutor Bekim Kodraliu stated during the trial that Gjukanović had been in contact with two BIA officials: Ratko Gajtanović, responsible for the Novi Pazar region, and Lubisha Bukvić.
“With the latter, the defendant met several times at BIA offices in Belgrade,” he said.
According to the prosecution, Gjukanović abused her position within the OSCE, allegedly acting under the influence of Aleksandar Vllajić and other BIA officials.
Prosecutors further argued that she contributed to creating a “hostile narrative” against Kosovo’s security institutions, statehood, and territorial integrity.
Recently, authorities in Kosovo have arrested several individuals—both Albanians and Serbs—on suspicion of espionage on behalf of Serbian intelligence.
Experts say these cases demonstrate that espionage remains a serious threat to Kosovo’s security.
