Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has dismissed as “unfounded and fabricated” the allegations brought by Serbian authorities against Arbnor Spahiu, a former member of the Kosovo Police Special Operations Unit. Spahiu, who was arrested at the Horgoš border crossing on June 7 while traveling with his family from Austria to Kosovo, is being held on suspicion of „aggravated murder“ in connection with the deadly clashes in Banjska in northern Kosovo.
Both his defense attorney and the Kosovo government claim that Spahiu was not in Kosovo at the time of the incident.
According to the Kosovo Ministry, Spahiu left the Kosovo Police in 2022 and has since been residing in Germany with his family. In a statement issued following confirmation from Serbia’s Higher Court in Subotica to Radio Free Europe that Spahiu is being suspected of committing “aggravated murder” in Banjska, the Ministry condemned the allegations, stressing that they lack any factual basis.
Spahiu was taken to a detention center in Kanjiža following his arrest. His lawyer, Arianit Koci, has described the detention order as „unjust, politically motivated, and lacking any evidence or legal foundation,“ calling on Kosovo institutions to intervene.
Koci is expected to travel to Subotica today, together with Liaison Officer of Kosovo in Belgrade, Jetish Jashari, to meet with the state-appointed defense attorney. Kosovo’s Liaison Office has formally requested permission for Ambassador Jashari to visit Spahiu in detention.
The Ministry further confirmed that it has informed Quint states and is in ongoing communication with the German Embassy, stating that Spahiu has a regularized residency status in Germany.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, through the Liaison Office in Belgrade, has notified the diplomatic missions of Quint countries accredited in Serbia, as well as the entire diplomatic corps in Kosovo. A special line of communication has been established with the German Embassy due to Mr. Spahiu’s legal residency in Germany,” the statement added.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has also been involved. Her media adviser, Bekim Kupina, told Klan Kosova that Osmani was briefed on the arrest and has since informed the Quint and the EU Office in Kosovo.
“As soon as she was notified of the case, President Osmani contacted the Liaison Office of the Republic of Kosovo in Serbia, the Quint countries, and the EU Office. Her engagement will continue,” Kupina said.
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