The rise in killings and serious incidents involving firearms in Kosovo has significantly increased concerns about security in the country.
In a statement to “Bota sot,” former investigator Agim Rexhepi stressed that gun violence should no longer be seen as isolated cases, but as a serious issue that requires a strong response from institutions and concrete steps to protect citizens.
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“First of all, allow me to express my sincerest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. Every life lost to gun violence is a tragedy for the family, but also a serious alarm for the state and society.
The recent cases show that gun violence can no longer be treated as isolated incidents. They require a determined institutional response toward every suspected individual. Public safety is one of the state’s fundamental responsibilities, and every citizen should feel protected on the street, at home, and in the workplace,” he said.
Rexhepi further called for the state’s approach to change, placing emphasis on law enforcement and effective control of the weapons in circulation.
“Control over weapons must be significantly strengthened. Existing legislation alone is not enough if it is not enforced rigorously. There must be more frequent checks on weapons possession, continuous verification of permits, the immediate confiscation of weapons kept illegally, and much harsher punishments for their trafficking and illegal possession. Every illegal weapon removed from circulation is one less threat to citizens’ lives,” he added.
According to Rexhepi, the Police must increase preventive operations and strike the groups supplying the illegal weapons market, while the prosecution and the courts must give priority to handling these cases.
“Equally important is the action of the Police and justice institutions. The Police must intensify preventive operations, checks in high-risk areas, intelligence gathering, and crackdowns on criminal groups supplying the illegal weapons market. Meanwhile, the prosecution and the courts must treat cases related to illegal weapons and violent crimes as a priority, handing down sentences that serve as a real deterrent to potential perpetrators,” he continued.
In conclusion, he underlined that there must be greater cooperation between institutions, schools, families, and civil society to curb radicalization and violence, stressing that prevention carries the same weight as punishment.
“At the same time, greater cooperation is needed between institutions, schools, families, and civil society to prevent radicalization, conflicts, and the culture of violence. Prevention is just as important as punishment.
The message must be clear: in a democratic state, it cannot be tolerated that weapons are used to resolve conflicts or settle scores. The rule of law must be stronger than any individual or criminal group. Only through uncompromising enforcement of the law, stronger control over weapons, the professional response of the Police, and effective justice can citizens’ trust be restored and the recurrence of such tragedies be prevented.
This is the moment for institutions to act decisively, because the safety of citizens is not a matter for political debate, but a fundamental obligation of the state,” Rexhepi concluded for “Bota sot.”
