Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, attended the unveiling ceremony of a memorial plaque dedicated to Kosovo Police Hero Triumf Riza, marking the 19th anniversary of his death in the line of duty. The ceremony was held in the “Dardania” neighborhood of Pristina, at the site where Riza was killed.
Kurti recalled the attack on Riza and stressed that his killing deeply shocked his family, the Kosovo Police, and society as a whole, while highlighting his dedication to serving the state and its citizens.
Kurti said that throughout his career with the Kosovo Police, Riza distinguished himself through his professional skills, commitment, and determination.
“Nineteen years ago, right here in the Dardania neighborhood of Pristina, a planned attack carried out by criminal groups took the life of police officer Triumf Riza. It was an event that deeply shocked his family, the Kosovo Police, all of us who knew Triumf, and our entire society. From the day he began his training at the Police Academy in Vushtrri, on November 29, 1999, until the day he fell in the line of duty, Triumf distinguished himself through his professional skills, commitment, and determination. For years, he upheld one unwavering principle: no one could be untouchable, and no one could stand above the law.”
Kurti emphasized that, for Riza, the police uniform represented a responsibility to serve citizens and protect public order and the rule of law.
“Triumf did not see the uniform merely as a profession. To him, it represented the responsibility to serve citizens, guarantee their safety, and protect public order and the rule of law. He was an example of an uncompromising police officer in confronting criminal groups, fully aware that carrying out his duty could put his own life at risk. Nevertheless, he never backed down. He stood on the side of the rule of law, order, and justice, against those who sought to replace these values with fear, threats, blackmail, and violence. Since August 30, 2007, Triumf’s name has become part of the Kosovo Police’s collective memory as a symbol of courage, dedication, and sacrifice in the fight against organized crime,” Kurti said.
The caretaker prime minister said that Riza’s killing was an attempt to undermine the authority of state institutions, but that the mission he left unfinished continued through successive generations of the Kosovo Police.
“For precisely this reason, the killing of Triumf was not merely the loss of a young life and a dedicated police officer. It was an attempt to strike at the authority of an institution whose duty was to fight crime and protect citizens. But that attempt did not stop the Kosovo Police. The mission Triumf left unfinished did not end. It continued through generations of the Kosovo Police, through his colleagues, many of whom are here with us today and, 19 years later, continue to uphold the oath they took by serving this part of our country, confronting danger every day, and remaining at the service of citizens. This is one of the most dignified ways to honor Triumf Riza: by continuing the work he carried out with dedication and by not allowing criminality to dictate the authority of our institutions,” the caretaker prime minister said.
Kurti called for full justice in Riza’s killing and urged stronger institutions and full accountability.
“Today, alongside our remembrance and grief over his loss, we must also speak about the need for full justice in the killing of Triumf Riza. Accountability must extend to every person who played a role in this murder—from the perpetrator to anyone who may have ordered, organized, assisted, or enabled it. May the memory of Triumf serve as a call for strong institutions, impartial justice, and full accountability,” he said.
Kurti honored the memory of Triumf Riza and all Kosovo Police officers who have fallen in the line of duty, emphasizing that their sacrifice should remain an inspiration for future generations.
“Today, on the 19th anniversary of the killing of police officer Triumf Riza, we bow with respect before his life and sacrifice. His name remains part of the history of the Kosovo Police, while his memory continues to live on among his colleagues, friends, and family, as well as among every state official in our country. The dedication and courage with which he served should remain an inspiration for future generations of the Kosovo Police, a lasting reminder of the sacrifice of those who gave the most precious thing they had in service to their country and its citizens. May the memory of Triumf Riza endure forever. Glory to all members of the Kosovo Police who fell in the line of duty!” Kurti added.
