Bosnian Islamic preacher Elvedin Pezić is expected to be deported from Kosovo on Friday, a day after he was escorted by Kosovo Police for questioning ahead of a planned event in Vitomiricë, Peja, according to Radio Free Europe.
The reasons for Pezić’s questioning have not been publicly disclosed.
The Islamic Community of Kosovo (BIK) told Radio Free Europe that it had not been informed about Pezić’s arrival in Kosovo or the activities he had planned. The Islamic Council in Peja said Pezić had neither requested nor received its permission or support for the events.
“Kosovo Police contacted us in writing and we responded,” the council said, without disclosing details of its communication with police.
BIK said that any religious activity held in religious facilities or other locations should have the permission or consent of the relevant Islamic institution.
A mosque congregation in Dobrushë had promoted Pezić’s planned appearance on social media.
Pezić was escorted by police on Thursday for an information interview shortly before an event in Vitomiricë. Rexho Kojiq, from the NGO Young Volunteers, which organized the event, confirmed that Pezić had been taken to a police station in Prishtina.
Kojiq said Pezić had entered Kosovo legally through the Kullë border crossing using Bosnian documents. According to Kojiq, police told him that Pezić would be held for approximately six hours for identity verification.
Kojiq also said Pezić was asked whether he had permission from the Islamic Community of Kosovo to hold the event.
“He is not an imam at any mosque and did not need such permission. It was about promoting a book,” Kojiq said.
Another Islamic preacher, Mithad Qeman, was also reportedly escorted by police but was released shortly afterward.
Pezić and Qeman had planned to promote a book in Vitomiricë and subsequently hold an event in Dobrushë, Istog. Another event had reportedly been planned for Friday in Reçan, Prizren.
Who is Elvedin Pezić?
Pezić is an Islamic preacher from Bosnia and Herzegovina who has been active online for years. He is known for conservative religious views and has been associated with Salafi interpretations of Islam.
He has more than 300,000 followers on Facebook and uses social media platforms to publish religious lectures, advice and commentary on social issues.
His views have previously drawn criticism in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina responded to one of his statements concerning the role of women in Western society, saying that such views were not consistent with Islamic teachings regarding the rights and obligations of Muslim women.
Meanwhile, Kojiq rejected suggestions that Pezić posed a security threat to Kosovo.
“If there had been any indication of something like that, we would not have supported such a gathering,” Kojiq told Radio Free Europe.
The circumstances surrounding Pezić’s expected deportation and the reasons for the authorities’ decision have not been fully disclosed publicly.
