Several media report on the latest Kosovo Security Barometer - a program published by the Pristina-based Kosovar Centre for Security Studies – titled “The citizens’ views against violent extremism and radicalization in Kosovo”. The main findings of the study are as follows:
Kosovo Police issued a press release today confirming that 15 persons were arrested in several locations. After several months of investigations and in cooperation with State Prosecution, Kosovo Police this morning conducted a country-wide operation to arrest people suspected of committing criminal offenses against the constitutional order and security in the Republic of Kosovo.
The Basic Court of Kosovo announced today a 30-day detention measure against forty people suspected of participating in fighting in Syria and Iraq alongside terrorist organizations ISIS and Al-Nusra. A defense attorney told reporters that this is bad news for Kosovo’s image because the court failed to secure evidence that would confirm the alleged activities of the suspects. The attorney said this also confirms the failure of security institutions in Kosovo to prevent such activities.
Kosovo Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, commented on today’s arrests of supporters of ISIS and Al-Nusra in Kosovo. “As I announced last week, state mechanisms have launched a wide-scale operation against people suspected of participating in the war in Syria and Iraq. 40 people were arrested on suspicion of having participated in foreign wars by threatening our national security and constitutional order. We are determined to stop this evil and we will not stop.
Kosovo Police launched a country-wide operation this morning to arrest people suspected of fighting in Syria and Iraq alongside terrorist organization such as ISIS and Al-Nusra. The police operation was launched to protect national security, the constitutional order, law and order and to respect the rights of all persons guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo. The Republic of Kosovo is a place known for religious tolerance and for respecting human rights regardless of race, religion or gender.