Prishtina, August 6, 2025 — The name Radomir Llaban, a judge at Kosovo’s Constitutional Court and a member of the Serb community, has once again returned to the spotlight amid an ongoing political and institutional crisis that has paralyzed the country’s legislative processes. At the heart of the controversy is Llaban’s appointment as the reporting judge in a critical constitutional case—an appointment that prompted President Vjosa Osmani to formally withdraw her request for clarification from the Constitutional Court regarding next steps in the event that the Assembly of Kosovo is not constituted by the July 26 deadline. In a press conference on August 5, President Osmani cited “serious concerns” over Llaban’s role in the judiciary, describing him as a threat to Kosovo’s national security and someone “engaged in activities against the constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo.” She emphasized that this assessment was based on classified intelligence reports, but refrained from disclosing specific details.
Llaban’s past has long been a subject of scrutiny. In Serbia, he was convicted to six years in prison as part of the so-called “Customs Mafia” – a criminal network charged with bribery, abuse of office, and forgery of official documents. He evaded his sentence and has been on Serbia’s wanted list since 2012, and on Interpol’s red notice list since 2014. A 2024 statement from Serbia’s Kraljevo Basic Court confirmed that Llaban’s sentence would expire under statute of limitations by June 4, 2032, meaning Serbian authorities can no longer enforce the sentence after that date.
Despite his criminal past, Llaban was appointed in 2018 to Kosovo’s Constitutional Court, after an initial delay from then-President Hashim Thaçi, who requested vetting by security agencies before signing the decree. He was nominated by the Serb List, a Belgrade-backed political party, and began serving a nine-year term. He had previously worked as a legal advisor at the court since 2011. The court has maintained that his appointment was the exclusive competence of the Kosovo Assembly, and that he met the necessary legal criteria. Still, his past remains a source of growing discomfort within Kosovo’s institutions.
President Osmani’s decision to withdraw her constitutional request came after Llaban was assigned as the reporting judge in a case that could determine the fate of the Assembly. She called the move “dangerous,” stating that institutions had received alarming security assessments in 2018, 2021, and 2024. Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti echoed the concern, calling it “absurd” that someone deemed a threat to the constitutional order is now presiding over constitutional matters. Acting Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu revealed that Vetëvendosje, the ruling party, had filed a formal request in 2018 to initiate Llaban’s dismissal. The Constitutional Court responded that such a request would constitute interference in judicial independence.
In a public statement on August 6, the Constitutional Court reiterated that it handles all legally submitted cases and that parties have the right to withdraw their claims. It avoided commenting directly on the security allegations or on Llaban’s criminal record. The court emphasized that under Article 118 of the Constitution, a judge can only be dismissed for serious criminal offenses or misconduct during the term, and only upon proposal from two-thirds of the court’s judges.
Llaban’s ties to the Serb List have fueled further concern. In 2021, Serb politician Branimir Stojanović claimed that Llaban controlled the party from behind the scenes, influencing appointments and decisions. Stojanović, a co-founder of the party, later ran as an independent candidate due to what he described as Llaban’s manipulation of internal affairs. Additionally, Llaban’s sister, Gordana Llaban, is currently listed as a member of the Central Election Commission of Kosovo—suggesting broader institutional influence.
Despite multiple warnings and legal concerns, Kosovo’s institutions appear constrained in addressing the issue. The Constitutional Court maintains judicial independence, while the government lacks authority to dismiss judges unilaterally. Critics, including former Constitutional Court judge Gjyljeta Mushkolaj, say that Llaban’s 2018 appointment was unconstitutional and illegal, citing his criminal background. Mushkolaj noted that although the Court has never permanently removed a judge, it has in the past taken temporary disciplinary action in response to breaches of judicial ethics. However, the severity of Llaban’s case, she said, is unprecedented.
To date, Llaban has not responded to inquiries from Radio Free Europe or other media outlets regarding these allegations. The situation underscores ongoing tensions within Kosovo’s institutional framework and highlights gaps in legal and security protocols that allow individuals with serious legal and ethical concerns to hold positions of significant power. Whether Kosovo’s Constitutional Court or legislative bodies will move to reassess Llaban’s role remains uncertain—but the political and public pressure continues to mount.
