Fatmir Sheholli appeared before the Basic Court in Prishtina on Monday for an initial hearing after Kosovo prosecutors charged him with espionage and blackmail, alleging that he had been recruited by Serbia’s Security Intelligence Agency, BIA.
The case centers on alleged links between Sheholli and the Serbian intelligence service, with prosecutors citing a range of materials and communications as evidence gathered during the investigation.
According to the indictment dated August 24, 2026, the prosecution has listed dozens of material and personal pieces of evidence, including intercepted telephone communications, data extracted from Sheholli’s phone, video recordings, security-camera footage, seized documents, witness testimony and a financial report.
Prosecutors allege that, from an unspecified date until October 9, 2025, Sheholli acted as a person recruited by BIA and carried out instructions and tasks allegedly given by Bojan Dimić, whom the indictment identifies as director of BIA’s Directorate for Counterterrorism and International Organized Crime.
The prosecution further alleges that Sheholli collected and transmitted information and documents concerning political activities, the security situation and the functioning of Kosovo’s institutions.
Alleged “Top Secret 2” document
The indictment also refers to a document identified as “Top Secret 2.” Prosecutors allege that a photograph of the document was found on Sheholli’s phone.
According to the prosecution’s description of the document, funds allegedly collected from “Islamic embassies” in Belgrade were purportedly intended to finance the construction of mosques in Kosovo.
The document allegedly describes a broader objective of expanding Islamic influence, dividing Albanians, encouraging emigration and changing Western perceptions of Kosovo, with the claimed ultimate aim of creating conditions that would serve Serbia’s objective of bringing Kosovo back under its jurisdiction.
The authenticity, authorship and context of the alleged document remain matters for the judicial proceedings to establish.
Potential prison sentence
Any eventual sentence would depend on the charges for which Sheholli might be convicted, as well as the court’s assessment of the evidence and circumstances of the case.
Under Article 124 of Kosovo’s Criminal Code, espionage includes entering the service of a foreign intelligence service, collecting information for such a service or otherwise assisting its activities.
Paragraph 3 of the provision states that a person who enters the service of a foreign intelligence service, collects data for it or otherwise assists its work can be sentenced to at least five years in prison.
For blackmail, the relevant provision provides for a fine and imprisonment of one to 10 years in aggravated circumstances, including when the offense is committed by a member of a group, involves the use of a weapon or dangerous instrument, or results in an unlawful benefit exceeding €10,000.
The court proceedings will determine whether the prosecution’s allegations are supported by the evidence. Sheholli is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a final court decision.
