Three arrests and one ongoing raid — this is the result of a Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) operation conducted today in Kosovo, which began early this morning, according to RKS News.
The individuals arrested by EULEX investigators, who conducted the operation, are Isni Kilaj, Bashkim Smakaj, and Fadil Fazliu. The fourth individual, Hajredin Kuçi, has only been raided so far, with the operation still ongoing.
Regarding the case, Kilaj’s son made a statement, telling T7 that: “The judge has rejected the prosecution’s request three times, and then he was released under strict security measures.” He added that Isni Kilaj has not violated any terms, expressing hope that the case would be closed and the strict measures lifted against his father.
Fadil Fazliu, a former UÇK member and brother of national heroes Fazli and Bahri Fazliu, was also arrested. His son, Fahri Fazliu, reported that the arrest took place around 8 a.m. at his father’s home in Kodra e Diellit, where it was raided a year ago. He said: “Fadil was arrested by 3-4 EULEX vehicles under the order of the Specialized Chambers. My father was on his way to work, and he was alone. He is currently at EULEX offices, and we expect him to be transferred to The Hague.”
The Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) confirmed the operation, stating that it was part of an ongoing investigation into crimes against justice administration.
The SPO added: “The operations are authorized by the judicial authorities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) and supported by the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX).”
This operation has sparked strong reactions, including from Adil Behramaj, former advisor to Hashim Thaçi. He stated that the Special Prosecutor’s arrests in Pristina began immediately after Thaçi spoke out against injustice. “One day after Hashim Thaçi stood up against the injustice in The Hague, the Special Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina started arrests. This is a classic persecution of those directly or indirectly linked to the KLA and its leaders in The Hague. Bashkim Smakaj is a former KLA fighter and a silent hero of the state of Kosovo,” Behramaj wrote.
Meanwhile, in The Hague, all investigations against Sokol Bashota have been officially dropped. Bashota made the announcement via a post on Facebook, stating that the closure of the investigations was not only a victory for him, but also a confirmation of the purity of the KLA’s struggle.
“After five years of investigations, I was officially informed on September 19, 2024, that all investigations against me have been closed. The purity of the holy war of the KLA has been confirmed once again,” he wrote, thanking his lawyer, Artan Qerkini, for his professional help in achieving this outcome.
