Serbian authorities have arrested a 46-year-old man from Istog, Kosovo, on suspicion of espionage in a case unfolding as forensic investigations continue at a suspected mass grave site linked to the Kosovo war.
According to Serbia’s Ministry of the Interior, the suspect, identified by the initials R.T., was arrested on July 30 in the city of Kraljevo during a joint operation carried out by the Service for Combating Terrorism and Extremism, the Criminal Police Directorate, the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Kraljevo, and Serbia’s Security Information Agency (BIA).
Serbian authorities allege that the suspect cooperated with an intelligence service operating in Kosovo and collected and transmitted information concerning former and current members of the Serbian Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior, and other security institutions.
The arrest comes as forensic excavations are underway in the area of Kalludra e Vogël, in the municipality of Zubin Potok, at a site suspected of containing a mass grave dating back to the 1998–1999 Kosovo war.
Investigators believe the location may contain the remains of 23 Albanian intellectuals from Mitrovica who disappeared in April 1999 during the conflict.
Serbian authorities have ordered the suspect to remain in custody for up to 48 hours. Following the expiration of that detention period, he is expected to appear before the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Kraljevo, which will determine the next legal steps in the case.
Serbian officials have not publicly presented evidence supporting the espionage allegations, and no response from Kosovo authorities regarding the arrest had been issued at the time of publication.
