The Serbian Democracy party (Srpska demokratija) alleged on Wednesday that a spyware application was unlawfully installed on the mobile phone of its deputy leader, Ivan Orlović, during what the party calls an illegal detention by Kosovo police. The party described the incident as a grave violation of privacy and security, warning of broader implications for its political activities.
According to the statement, the alleged incident occurred on June 28 at the Vucitrn police station, where Orlović and four other party members were reportedly detained without legal justification. The party claims they were denied access to legal representation and not allowed to notify their families of their whereabouts.
Before the interrogation, Orlović was ordered by police to switch off his phone and leave it in a locker, taking the key with him—though party representatives argue that officers could have easily had a duplicate.
Photos shared by the party allegedly show that the spyware was installed at 22:12, while Orlović’s phone was off and locked away. The interrogation reportedly began around half an hour earlier and lasted until 23:00, during which time police had unrestricted access to his device. No official document was issued following the questioning, and Orlović was held for six hours without explanation, according to the party.
The spyware, which was not present on the phone before that day, appears disguised as a system application and is capable of recording calls, messages, and other data in the background. Several other apps were reportedly removed or relocated on the device.
Serbian Democracy expressed concern that data extracted from the phone could be used to discredit Orlović and other members of the party leadership. They noted that it remains unclear whether similar spyware was planted on other members’ devices, particularly during or after this year’s Vidovdan commemorations.
The party has announced that Orlović’s phone will undergo further analysis using AI-assisted tools at organizations specializing in unlawful surveillance of political dissidents.
While emphasizing its commitment to peace, dialogue, and the preservation of the political and cultural identity of Kosovo Serbs, the party underlined that it is increasingly on the receiving end of practices seen in authoritarian regimes such as North Korea or Eritrea.
„This act of electronic surveillance is not just a personal attack or a misuse of private data—it is a broader attempt to intimidate and undermine legitimate political representatives of the Serbian people in Kosovo,“ the statement reads.
The party called on EULEX, the EU Office in Kosovo, OSCE, and foreign embassies and missions in Kosovo to intervene urgently and ensure the personal safety of deputy leader Ivan Orlović, party president Aleksandar Arsenijević, and other party members.
“We expect these attacks to be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators within the Kosovo police and associated agencies to be identified and prosecuted. Every moment of silence from the international community further emboldens repression and sends a dangerous message that Serbian politicians in Kosovo are beyond the protection of the rule of law,” the party added in an English-language statement.
The allegations come just days after a series of incidents involving party leaders. In late June, ahead of Vidovdan, Kosovo police reportedly discovered buried weapons—including launchers, grenades, and ammunition—on Arsenijević’s property in the village of Valac, near Zvecan. Arsenijević dismissed the accusations as a set-up and an attempt to drive him out of Kosovo, stressing that the search was conducted in his absence. Kosovo authorities have stated he will be arrested if he returns, while Arsenijević has said he is willing to appear before a court only under guarantees of a fair trial.
On Vidovdan, deputy leader Stefan Veljković was detained at Gazimestan for refusing to remove a shirt bearing Arsenijević’s image. After hours in custody in Vucitrn, he was released, only to be physically assaulted the next day near his home in North Mitrovica.
Veljković said the attacker first reportedly attempted to run him over with a car and then inflicted injuries to his head and neck. Kosovo police confirmed the incident had been reported and said two individuals were questioned.
Most recently, Serbian Democracy members were detained again yesterday in Mitrovica during a protest over acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s visit.
“Despite the mounting pressure, threats, and violence, Serbian Democracy will not abandon its political mission. We remain resolutely committed to defending the rights and dignity of the Serbian people in Kosovo, a commitment we’ve demonstrated repeatedly through action on the ground,” the party concluded.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
