After Allegations of BIA Ties, Mekuli Warns of Serbian Propaganda Infiltrating Public Debate

Publicist Gëzim Mekuli’s reaction came immediately after the announcement that the Kosovo Special Prosecution Office had filed an indictment against Fatmir Sheholli, who is suspected of collaborating with Serbia’s Security Intelligence Agency (BIA) and of blackmailing an individual, from whom he allegedly received more than 13,000 euros.

In a post published on his social media account, Mekuli expressed concern that such networks may have extended their influence into academic, media and university circles, describing their presence as “appalling” when they are close to centers of learning.

He drew attention once again to the importance of resisting disinformation and warned citizens to remain vigilant against rhetoric that serves Belgrade’s interests. According to him, for a long time, repeated insinuations and attacks against Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the Vetëvendosje Movement have used language that aligns with the Serbian political narrative, undermining not only an individual but also the will of a significant portion of Kosovo’s population.

Mekuli stressed that some public voices may be uninformed or professionally inadequate, but he considers it unacceptable for political party leaders to use slogans such as “Albin Serbia” or “Albin, Serbia’s spy,” calling this a genuine risk of weakening the country from within through propaganda mechanisms. He added that the origin of these messages, who funds them and whose interests they serve must be carefully investigated.

A significant part of his response focused on the role of the media, which, according to him, do not merely reflect political reality but actively shape it through the perceptions they create. When journalists, analysts and academics repeat serious accusations without evidence, they risk becoming components of an apparatus aimed at manipulating public opinion.

Referring to the deadlock over the formation of a new government, Mekuli raised the question of whether the influence that disinformation campaigns and influence operations may have had on shaping political positions in Kosovo should also be analyzed. He argued that the battle for the country’s future is being fought on many fronts, including television screens, online media studios and citizens’ minds themselves.

Finally, he recommended that the public consult his earlier analyses dating back to 1999, as well as the books “Media and Politics” and “Speeches That Bloodied the Balkans,” concluding with an appeal to change one’s source of information when confronted with propaganda.