A former member of Serbia’s Ministry of Interior, identified as V. M., was arrested on Saturday in Lesak during a joint operation by the Kosovo Police and the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, Kosovo’s acting Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla said. He stated that the arrest is linked to an ongoing investigation into the alleged abduction of Milan Vukašinović, whom Kosovo authorities claim was taken on November 1, 2025, from within Kosovo territory by Serbian security structures. V. M. has been placed under a 48-hour detention measure, his lawyer confirmed to KoSSev.
Sveçla: V.M. Cooperated with Serbian Intelligence and Military Structures
Sveçla stated that V. M. had previously been integrated into the Kosovo Police under the 2013 Brussels Agreement, but later resigned.
He is suspected of having continuously cooperated with Serbian security structures, including in the case of Vukašinović’s alleged abduction.
“During the abduction, Milan Vukašinović was seriously wounded and is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital in Serbia,” Sveçla said.
The acting interior minister further alleged that the suspect had contacts with Serbian intelligence and military structures, that he was allegedly involved in preparations of young Serbs for training in cooperation with members of the Serbian Armed Forces, and that he had at least knowledge of preparations for the attack in Banjska.
“No one in Kosovo will be able to evade justice. Our professional institutions have the capacity to respond to every threat and to clarify every crime. Sooner or later, those responsible for this and other cases — who are part of Serbia’s security institutions or who hide there and are used for political and security purposes — will face justice,” Sveçla said.
Defense: Allegations Denied, 48-Hour Detention Ordered
V. M.’s lawyer, Dejan Vasić, told KoSSev that his client had given a statement to investigators and fully denied any involvement in the alleged acts.
“V. M. has provided an easily verifiable alibi and completely denied participation in the events,” Vasić said.
He added that a 48-hour detention measure has been ordered against his client, and that further steps will depend on the decision of the Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica.
Alongside Vasić, V. M. is also being represented by attorney Bojana Srbljak.
Office for Kosovo and Metohija Responds
On Saturday evening, Serbia’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija issued its first public statement regarding the case, although Milan Vukašinović was not mentioned by name.
The Office accused Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of continuing what it described as a “violent pre-election campaign” through the “groundless arrest of Vidosav M.,” claiming that he was “kidnapped and detained by Kurti’s phalanxes.”
The statement further claimed that V. M. was arrested in his home and that no evidence was found during the search. It also alleged that his family was subjected to intimidation during the house search.
However, in its morning report, the Kosovo Police stated that the search of the suspect’s home resulted in the seizure of nine mobile phones, one laptop, three A4 documents, one hunting rifle with 39 rounds of ammunition, a cartridge belt, and one weapon barrel.
The Milan Vukašinović Case
As previously reported by the Pristina-based daily Koha, Milan Vukašinović was wounded and taken from Kosovo territory in the village of Jelakce, in the municipality of Leposavic, before being transferred to Serbia for medical treatment.
His family was reportedly not allowed to visit him for more than a month, while his mother was only recently permitted to visit him in a prison hospital in Belgrade.
According to his lawyer, Ivan Ninić — who first publicly raised concerns about the case — two proceedings are being conducted against Vukašinović in Serbia: one related to a criminal complaint for attempted murder against him, and another in which he is listed as a suspect before Serbian authorities.
At the same time, the Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica is investigating the case as an attempted murder.
Kosovo institutions, according to Koha, believe the motive for the attack is linked to pressure on Vukašinović after he refused to leave his job at the Kosovo Insurance Bureau.
KoSSev has repeatedly contacted Serbia’s Ministry of Interior, the Serbian Armed Forces, and the Security Information Agency for comment on the case, but no responses have been received for over a month.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
