Arianit Koci takes on the defense of Avdi Memçaj, detained in Serbia

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.

According to Koci, Memçaj’s family approached him with a request to take on the defense of his rights. He said that Memçaj has lived in Croatia for years and owns several bakeries there.

The lawyer stressed that he will pursue the case seriously and will use all necessary legal means. He also called on Kosovo’s institutions to provide the necessary institutional support.

Koci also expressed concern about the growing number of cases in which Kosovo citizens are being detained while passing through Serbia, urging them to report such situations to the responsible institutions.

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In Serbia, in pre-trial detention since May 20, on suspicion of inciting hatred through social media.

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

His family members have asked me to become involved in defending Avdi Memçaj’s rights.

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

Until today, they had not made the case public, out of fear 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 treat 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 also examine this case seriously and offer the necessary institutional support for the protection of Avdi Memçaj’s rights.

At the same time, I also want to raise 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 about checks of the contents of mobile phones.

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