The “Sheholli” case and alleged Serbian espionage activities in Kosovo were the focus of a discussion on RTK Prime, following the Special Prosecution’s indictment of Fatmir Sheholli on suspected charges of espionage and blackmail.
Arben Fetoshi, director of the Octopus Institute, said the discussion over Serbian intelligence activity should not be limited to the Sheholli case, arguing that Kosovo has already identified several cases of suspected espionage, including cases that have resulted in final court decisions.
Fetoshi said information emerging from the Sheholli case points, in his assessment, to the involvement of Serbian state structures and the Serbian Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) in influence operations inside Kosovo.
“What we saw today, reported by the media in the Sheholli case, clearly reveals the involvement of Serbian state structures, supported operationally by BIA, in influence operations inside Kosovo,” Fetoshi said.
He linked these activities to what the Octopus Institute describes as Serbia’s hybrid strategy toward Kosovo, arguing that such operations seek to destabilize the country, deepen political and social polarization and increase public distrust in Kosovo’s institutions.
Fetoshi also referred to alleged narratives involving religious radicalism and attempts to portray Kosovo as a country affected by Islamic extremism.
“These consist of destabilizing our country, deepening polarization and increasing distrust in institutions,” he said.
According to Fetoshi, combating espionage is a complex process, making cooperation between the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (AKI), Kosovo Police and state prosecutors essential.
He said recent cases demonstrate that Kosovo has developed the capacity to identify and neutralize threats posed by espionage networks, while warning that the cases already uncovered could represent only part of a broader phenomenon.
Political scientist Dorajet Imeri said the indictment against Sheholli indicates that Kosovo’s justice institutions have treated the case professionally, while emphasizing that Kosovo remains exposed to Serbian attempts to influence the country’s political, social and economic developments.
Imeri said Serbia’s alleged influence extends beyond the security sphere, potentially affecting Kosovo’s international image, internal political stability and institutional resilience.
“How exposed Kosovo is in relation to Serbia, and how significant Serbia’s efforts are to obstruct the political, social and economic processes taking place in our country,” Imeri said.
He described the ability of Kosovo’s security institutions to identify and arrest people suspected of espionage as encouraging, while stressing that cooperation between the police, intelligence services and prosecutors remains essential.
At the same time, Imeri cautioned that the allegations against Sheholli must ultimately be assessed by the courts.
Serbian Narratives and Information Operations
Festim Rizanaj, a researcher at Hibrid.info, focused on the role of narratives and propaganda, arguing that political and social polarization in Kosovo creates an environment in which external narratives can be exploited during domestic political and ideological disputes.
“This social and political polarization is creating a kind of vacuum that, whether intentionally or not, allows others to use these narratives to attack their domestic political opponents,” Rizanaj said.
He argued that Serbian propaganda has maintained continuity over time and frequently connects its narratives to developments inside Kosovo, particularly issues involving the Serb community, alleged attacks on religious heritage and claims concerning Islamic radicalism.
According to Rizanaj, some of these narratives seek to portray Kosovo’s Serb community as a victim and subsequently use that perception internationally to influence how Kosovo is viewed and treated.
“These are the main elements through which Serbia seeks to portray the Serb community here as a victim and then sell that narrative geopolitically and internationally,” he said.
Publicist Sadik Zeqiri, meanwhile, discussed Fatmir Sheholli’s background and allegations concerning his links to Serbian intelligence structures.
Zeqiri claimed that Sheholli had acknowledged being part of Serbian intelligence services before and during the Kosovo war and alleged that he later cooperated with BIA and worked in institutions where Serbian political parties played a role.
The discussion comes amid heightened scrutiny of alleged Serbian intelligence and influence activities in Kosovo. While analysts have pointed to broader patterns of espionage, propaganda and information operations, the allegations against Sheholli remain subject to judicial proceedings and a final court determination.
