Serbia has an interest in maintaining tensions in Kosovo, but it is not in Kosovo’s interest to allow destabilising elements to operate freely within its borders, a leading security analyst said on Monday following a series of weekend arrests.
Mentor Vrajolli, Executive Director of the Kosovo Center for Security Studies (QKSS), told KosovaPress that the recent detention of 16 individuals in Gjakova and Prizren, allegedly posing as Serbian pilgrims, reflects ongoing concerns about Serbia’s potential to destabilise the region.
“The potential for Serbia to use these elements in Kosovo has been and remains,” Vrajolli said, urging Kosovo’s institutions to heighten vigilance against movements linked to Serbian state structures.
Authorities arrested four groups of individuals travelling in vehicles with Serbian license plates from Kragujevac. Acting Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla said four of those arrested were active members of Serbia’s security services, and one is reportedly linked to the main suspect in the killing of Kosovo Police officer Afrim Bunjaku.
The Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Gjakova has requested 30-day detention for four suspects, identified by the initials B.R., N.V., P.K., and M.S., all of Serbian nationality. They are being investigated on suspicion of illegal possession of weapons. A hearing at the Basic Court in Gjakova is currently underway to determine pre-trial detention.
Despite the incidents, Vrajolli said the risk of broader conflict escalation remains low, citing close monitoring of the Kosovo-Serbia border by the Kosovo Police, NATO, and KFOR forces.
Meanwhile, at a meeting of Kosovo’s Security Council, convened by acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, officials discussed what they described as Serbia’s attempts to influence political developments within Kosovo. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Serbia is allegedly working with some non-Serb minority MPs to obstruct the formation of new legislative institutions.
Vrajolli said political parties hold the key to resolving the current institutional impasse, but added that minority representatives also bear responsibility in contributing to a solution for forming a new government.