Former AAK MP Besnik Tahiri has publicly called for the immediate engagement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kosovo, with the support of the European Union Office in Kosovo, as well as the embassies of the United Kingdom and the United States, to secure the release of Kosovo citizen Hazir Haziri – Zogu, a 77-year-old from Podujeva.
According to Tahiri, Haziri has now been detained for 78 days by Serbian authorities on unfounded accusations of “war crimes.” He stressed that Haziri is a calm, respectable citizen, a family man with high moral values, no criminal past, and fragile health.
His full statement reads:
“I am publicly requesting the immediate involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo and the Ministry of Justice, with the support of the EU Office in Kosovo, as well as the embassies of the United Kingdom and the United States, to secure the release of Kosovo citizen Hazir Haziri – Zogu, a 77-year-old from Podujeva, who has now been held in detention by Serbian authorities for 78 days under unfounded accusations of ‘war crimes.’
I know Hazir Haziri personally; he is a friend of my parents, a respectable citizen of Podujeva, a family man with no criminal background, a person of high integrity, and with fragile health.
This prolonged detention is unjust, politically motivated, and in open violation of basic human rights. Continuing to hold him poses a real risk to his health and his life. According to the 2015 Agreement, suspected war-crime cases involving Kosovo citizens must be handled by Kosovo courts. Therefore, we urgently demand his release or the transfer of his case to Kosovo.
His family is enduring unbearable days filled with fear, uncertainty, and pain. Each passing day is heavy and unjust. Our institutions, our international partners, and the friends of Kosovo, act NOW. Do not remain silent. Do not wait. This is a test of humanity, justice, and human dignity.”
