Arianit Koci gives details on Avdi Memçaj, detained in Serbia since May 20

Lawyer Arianit Koci has announced that Avdi Memçaj has been held in pre-trial detention in Serbia since May 20, after being arrested at the Merdarë border crossing on suspicion of inciting hatred through social media.

He said that Memçaj’s family had approached him to take on the defense of his rights. According to information provided by his relatives, Memçaj has lived in Croatia for years and owns several bakeries.

Koci stressed that he would examine the case seriously and would take all legal steps permitted by law to protect Avdi Memçaj’s rights. He also called on the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to treat the case seriously and provide the necessary institutional support.

The lawyer also raised concerns over the growing number of cases involving the detention of Kosovo citizens while passing through Serbia. According to him, in some cases there have also been reports of the contents of mobile phones being checked.

He called on citizens that, if they face such situations, they should inform the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and, when necessary, seek legal assistance, so that a full picture of the situation can be established and there can be a timely response.

Full post:

Since May 20 in pre-trial detention in Serbia, under suspicion of inciting hatred through social media.

Avdi Memçaj was arrested on May 20 at the Merdarë border crossing and since that day has been in pre-trial detention in Serbia, according to information given to me by his family.

His family members contacted me asking me to get involved in defending Avdi Memçaj’s rights.

According to them, Avdi Memçaj has for years lived in Croatia, where he owns several bakeries.

They did not make the case public until today because they feared that this could have consequences both for Avdi Memçaj and for his family, as they often pass through Serbia to come to Kosovo.

I will examine this case seriously and will undertake all legal actions permitted by law to protect his rights.

I expect the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo to treat this case seriously as well and to provide the necessary institutional support for the protection of Avdi Memçaj’s rights.

At the same time, I also want to share a concern.

Recently, I have been receiving more and more information about the detention of citizens of the Republic of Kosovo while passing through Serbia. In some cases, I have also been told that the contents of their mobile phones were checked.

I call on citizens that, if they face such situations, they should inform the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and, as needed, seek legal assistance. Only in this way can a full picture of the situation be created and a timely response be made.