Outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, reacted sharply to the recent arrest of a former member of Kosovo’s Special Police Unit, alleging that Serbia’s treatment of “Kosovo citizens is abnormal” and warning it “must not and will not be allowed to become normal.”
The former officer, Arbnor Spahiu, was arrested by Serbian authorities on Saturday, June 7, at the Horgoš border crossing while traveling by bus with his family from Austria to Kosovo.
Following his arrest, Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Spahiu was taken to a detention center in Kanjiža.
While initial reports from Pristina-based sources indicated he was being questioned in connection with the September 2023 Banjska attack, Serbia’s Higher Court in Subotica confirmed for Radio Free Europe yesterday that Spahiu is suspected of “aggravated murder” related to the Banjska case.
Aside from this confirmation, Serbian authorities have remained silent on the matter.
Media outlets in Kosovo, citing Spahiu’s legal counsel, reported that a one-month pre-trial detention order had been issued against him. His lawyer, Arianit Koci, later confirmed the decision, calling it “unjust, politically motivated, and entirely without evidence or factual basis.” Koci also urged Kosovo institutions to intervene.
Kosovo Leadership Responds Four Days Later
Four days after the arrest, Kosovo’s leadership responded publicly.
President Vjosa Osmani has reached out to Quint countries and the EU regarding the case, according to her public relations adviser. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has done the same and stated it is in “special contact” with the German Embassy in Pristina, noting that Spahiu holds legal residency in Germany.
Following the Subotica court’s confirmation of the charges, the Ministry described the case as “fabricated and unfounded.”
In his statement today, Kurti emphasized that Kosovo institutions have been fully engaged since the moment of Spahiu’s arrest.
“Since the arrest of our citizen, Arbnor Fatmir Spahiu, by Serbian authorities at the border crossing between Hungary and Serbia, our institutions have been fully committed to securing his prompt release,” Kurti said.
Serbia’s conduct toward Kosovo citizens, he stated, is unacceptable:
“Such abnormal behavior must not and will not be allowed to become normal.”
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