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.

During this operation, police raided sixty locations and arrested 40 people under the suspicion that they have committed criminal acts as described in the chapter “Penal acts against the constitutional order and security in the Republic of Kosovo” of the Kosovo Penal Code.

The suspects who were arrested are:

•       L. R. – (1990) – Pristina

•       A. V. – (1991) – Pristina

•       Sh.D. – (1962) – Pristina

•       H. N. – (1988) – Pristina

•       B. K. – (1983) – Pristina

•       K. B. – (1986) – Pristina

•       A. B. – (1987) – Pristina

•       V. K. – (1985) – Pristina

•       E. L. – (1994) – Gjilan/Gnjilane

•       F. R. – (1978) – Gjilan/Gnjilane

•       H. E. – (1971) – Gjilan/Gnjilane

•       B. S. – (1992) – Gjilan/Gnjilane

•       H. A. – (1994) – Gjilan/Gnjilane

•       K. R. – (1989) – Gjilan/Gnjilane

•       I . H. – (1993) – Gjilan/Gnjilane

•       B. H. – (1976) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       F. D. – (1987) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       Z. B. – (1984) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       A. L. – (1982) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       E. B. – (1978) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       F. B. – (1983) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       B.Sh. – (1982) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       A. B. – (1987) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       M. B. – (1988) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       J. B.   - (1990) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       I . M. – (1989) – Ferizaj/Urosevac

•       S. H. - (1973) – Prizren

•       F. K.   – (1982) – Prizren

•       I . R.   - (1977) – Prizren

•       M.B. - (1984) - Prizren

•       K. B. - (1981) – Prizren

•       B. L. - (1978) – Pejë/Pec

•       B. I. - (1987) – Pejë/Pec

•       M. H. – (1961) – Pejë/Pec

•       B. K. - (1988) – Pejë/Pec

•       A. I. - (1978) – Mitrovica

•       S. K. - (1975) – Mitrovica

•       V. G. - (1983) – Mitrovica

•       J. H. - (1975) – Mitrovica

•       S. S. - (1981) – Mitrovica

In way of material evidence, police have seized incriminating material relating to acts these persons are suspected of including explosives, arms and ammunition.

Through a statement, the Kosovo Police informed the citizens over the danger for anyone who chooses to join the organisations suspected of operating in the territory of Syria and Iraq, where 16 Kosovo citizens are reported to have been killed so far.

A large part of these organisations have been declared terrorist by international mechanisms and seeing the risks these persons undertake to go and fight, the Kosovo Police appeals to all persons not to fall prey to untruthful promises and inform the police of any such attempts.

Kosovo Police, based on its legal mandate, will undertake all necessary measures to prevent and fight any type of violent extremism, inclusion of individuals in criminal activity within terrorist organisations or groups inside and outside of Kosovo, and all those who in any way support, fund, or incite ethnic, racial or religious hatred.

During the police operation, another two persons were detained for obstructing and attacking an official person. They were later released on regular procedures following a decision by the prosecutor. Police spokesman, Baki Kelani, said the police operation was ongoing.