Jana Arsovska, a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and co-author of the 2012 article “Globalization of the Western Balkans: International Crime, Radical Islam, and Unsavory Alliances”, has responded to recent discussions in Kosovo regarding the content of the article, which lists the current Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly, Dimal Basha, as a contributor.
In a statement to the media, Arsovska emphasized that Basha is responsible solely for Chapter Three of the article, while she is the author of all other sections.
“Since I am the author of the majority of this study, I want to clarify to the public that Mr. Basha is responsible only for Chapter Three, ‘Expansion of Radical Islam,’ and none of the other chapters are his work. In short, Mr. Basha contributed only this single chapter for publication, which examines the spread of radical Islam in Southeastern Europe, with a particular focus on Kosovo,” Arsovska wrote.
The article, published in 2012, contains four chapters:
- The Dissolution of Yugoslavia
- The Rise of International Organized Crime
- Expansion of Radical Islam
- Globalization, Cultural Conflict, and Economic Tension: A Discussion
The article has sparked debate in Kosovo due to its content, particularly Chapter Two, which examines allegations of criminal collaboration:
“Multiple accusations from Western law enforcement agencies indicate that the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), during its formation, collaborated with ethnic Albanian criminals both within Kosovo and abroad… According to investigated cases, KLA funding came from ordinary Albanians in the diaspora, as well as drug traffickers operating across Western Europe and the United States. This support was not limited to money: drug traffickers also sent armed personnel to fight alongside the KLA and purchased weapons on behalf of the organization.”
Arsovska’s clarification seeks to ensure that Basha’s involvement is accurately represented, amid public debates and controversy over the historical claims presented in the study.
