After two days in Serbian custody, Arbnor Spahiu, a former member of the Kosovo Police Special Operations Unit (NJSO), has been remanded in custody for one month by the Basic Court in Serbia. According to the High Court in Subotica, Spahiu is suspected of committing “aggravated murder” in northern Kosovo, related to the Banjska events.
Arianit Koci, Spahiu’s lawyer, told Telegrafi that at the time of the Banjska attack, his client had no connection to the Kosovo Police.
“They’re accusing him of aggravated murder under Article 114, Paragraph 1, Point 11 of the Serbian Criminal Code, in connection with the Banjska case. The criminal complaint was filed by the Serbian BIA. But the truth is completely different; Arbnor wasn’t even a member of the Kosovo Police at that time. He resigned about a year ago and was living in Germany. For this, we have submitted evidence,” Koci stated.
Koci labeled the proceedings a “political persecution,” adding that it’s part of a “coordinated strategy by Serbia to intimidate former members of Kosovo’s security structures.”
Regarding the case, Koci emphasized that Kosovo must not remain silent, urging the Prime Minister and President to officially react. “I am here in Serbia to personally follow this process. An appeal will be filed within the legal deadline of 3 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Donika Gërvalla, and Ambassador Jetish Maloku are providing the necessary logistical support, and I appreciate this. But much more is needed – the Prime Minister and President must officially react. The state of Kosovo cannot remain silent when its citizens are unjustly persecuted outside its territory. If Kosovo doesn’t protect its people, who will?”
Spahiu was detained on Sunday at the Horgosh border crossing and transferred to the detention center in Kanjiža. His case is expected to trigger further diplomatic reactions.
Serbian authorities have repeatedly detained Kosovo citizens on suspicion of war crimes. Officials in Prishtina have characterized these arrests as arbitrary and politically motivated.
Since 2013, Kosovo and Serbia have had an agreement on mutual legal assistance, mediated by the European Union, but cooperation on war crimes has been almost nonexistent.
