Espionage poses a serious threat to Kosovo’s security, with recent arrests highlighting the ongoing risks, say experts. This activity not only destabilizes the country internally but also damages its international standing. Meanwhile, institutions remain largely silent about the scope of the problem, reports RFE.
Burim Ramadani, former head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), considers espionage one of the primary threats to national security in Kosovo. The recent arrests, along with other criminal procedures against suspects, reveal how vulnerable Kosovo is to foreign intelligence activities.
“The damage aimed at Kosovo is meant to discredit the country internationally and create internal tensions,” says Ramadani in an interview with Radio Free Europe.
On February 28, Jelena Gjukanovic, a member of the Serbian community in northern Kosovo, was arrested on suspicion of espionage.
Espionage Activities: A National Security Concern
Gjukanovic was detained on espionage charges and a 30-day detention order was issued on March 2. While some media outlets claim she worked for the Serbian Intelligence Agency (BIA), Radio Free Europe could not independently confirm these reports.
According to the Special Prosecutor’s Office of Kosovo, evidence from another case implicated Gjukanovic in espionage activities. Prosecutor Bekim Kodraliu mentioned that while further details could not be disclosed due to ongoing investigations, the case is being treated as highly sensitive.
A preliminary hearing for two other espionage suspects, Bedri Shabani and Muharrem Qerimi, was scheduled for March 17 but was postponed. The two are accused of sharing sensitive information and materials with the BIA.
Espionage is considered a serious crime under Kosovo’s Penal Code and is punishable by at least five years in prison if convicted.
Institutional Silence on the Issue
Despite the ongoing arrests and investigations, Kosovo’s institutions are notably silent on the issue of espionage. The Kosovo Judicial Council stated that, in the past three years, there has been no resolved case related to espionage, and it did not provide any information on the number of ongoing cases. Similarly, both the Special Prosecutor’s Office and Kosovo Police did not respond to inquiries about the number of espionage investigations underway.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide information on how many individuals have been declared “persona non grata” over national security threats in the past five years, though several individuals have been expelled during that period.
Sensitive Points of Espionage
Ramadani emphasizes that espionage activities in Kosovo aim to damage decision-making within Kosovo’s institutions, distort the truth about the country, and impact its critical infrastructure. These activities also aim to misdirect or distract public attention from issues related to Kosovo’s national security.
However, due to the sensitive nature of these activities, Ramadani refrains from specifying the exact actions resulting from espionage or the areas where Kosovo has been targeted.
According to Ramadani, Serbian structures—trained, monitored, and mentored by Russian intelligence agencies—aim to render Kosovo dysfunctional as a state. “There have been instances when a Russian national was caught in the act, leading to their expulsion from Kosovo,” he says.
Despite these ongoing threats, Kosovo continues to face challenges, as Serbia, with Russia’s support, still regards Kosovo as part of its territory and opposes its membership in various international organizations.
Serbia and Russia’s Efforts to Discredit Kosovo
Valdet Hoxha, former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, highlights that Serbia and Russia are primarily behind efforts to portray Kosovo as a “failed project of the West.” “They have tried to infiltrate their people into security and political mechanisms,” Hoxha explains.
Although Kosovo’s authorities have expelled certain individuals deemed a threat to national security, Hoxha suggests that Kosovo’s security structures are increasingly aware of the potential espionage risks.
Kosovo’s Capabilities to Combat Espionage
While Kosovo is not immune to espionage networks, it has made significant progress in consolidating its security sector, including its institutional mechanisms against espionage. Ramadani notes that the consolidation of Kosovo’s security institutions, especially the KIA, is evident but should be expanded with a more inclusive approach involving other institutions.
Kosovo has also gained the trust and support of international security organizations, with Ramadani mentioning instances where Kosovo’s security institutions have publicly thanked partner countries for their support in specific cases, such as preventing espionage activities or expelling individuals involved in espionage.
Hoxha adds that this cooperation has led to a steady increase in the capabilities of Kosovo’s security institutions, particularly the KIA, which he considers among the best-prepared in the region. However, he cautions that Kosovo must remain vigilant, as espionage remains a clandestine and ongoing threat.
