The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo (MPJD) has formally notified the QUINT embassies accredited in Serbia, as well as the European Union Delegation, regarding the arrest of a Kosovo citizen by Serbian authorities.
According to Serbian media, Lulzim Halili, reportedly a former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), was arrested on July 22 under suspicion of committing war crimes.
The MPJD stated that it had submitted an official request to Serbia through Kosovo’s Liaison Office in Belgrade, seeking formal confirmation of Halili’s arrest. “So far, we have not received any response from the Serbian side,” the ministry said in its statement, noting the lack of official updates and additional details about the case.
Initial information received by the MPJD on the evening of July 22 indicated that Halili was stopped near the town of Svilajnac and taken to a local police station. Efforts by Kosovo’s Liaison Office to verify the arrest directly with the police station were unsuccessful, as the duty officer refused to provide any information.
The ministry stated that once confirmation is received regarding whether Mr. Halili will be placed in pre-trial detention and whether criminal proceedings will be initiated, the Liaison Office will formally request to visit him at the detention facility.
In light of this development, the Foreign Ministry has issued a renewed call for Kosovo citizens to avoid traveling through Serbian territory, citing an increased risk of arbitrary detentions and arrests by Serbian authorities.
This incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of former KLA members and Kosovo citizens traveling in Serbia, particularly amid heightened tensions and ongoing political friction between the two countries.
