Kosovo Police, in coordination with Europol, have uncovered a forgery laboratory operating in the Veternik neighborhood of Prishtina, resulting in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of a large quantity of materials used in document falsification.
According to an official statement from the Kosovo Police’s Economic Crime Investigation Sector, the operation was the culmination of months of investigative work in collaboration with national law enforcement units and international partners.
From Routine Stop to Major Discovery
The investigation began in January 2025, when officers in Prishtina stopped a vehicle with local license plates driven by a suspect identified by the initials F.K. Upon inspection, police discovered a significant quantity of blank documents from various countries.
Following this initial discovery, police conducted a search of a suspected property in Veternik, where they found a fully equipped laboratory containing laser machines, printers, and other devices used for the production of forged documents.
The lab also contained blank travel and identity documents bearing the insignia of multiple European and non-European countries.
International Cooperation and Continued Investigations
Kosovo Police emphasized that the operation was carried out in close collaboration with Europol, marking an important step in dismantling what appears to be part of a transnational forgery network.
On April 23, 2025, another suspect, identified as SH.E., was located and brought in for questioning. He was interviewed in the presence of legal counsel and placed in 48-hour detention by decision of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo (PSRK).
Broader Implications
Authorities are continuing their investigations and have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests. The operation has raised concerns about the scope and sophistication of forgery operations in the region, especially given the international nature of the materials seized.
Kosovo Police reiterated their commitment to cross-border cooperation and upholding security and rule of law, especially in light of growing threats posed by document fraud and identity-related crimes.
