At Sheholli hearing, Rashiq recounts threats received by associates: Caller posed as BIA employee

Fatmir Sheholli pleaded not guilty to charges of “Espionage” and “Blackmail” during the first court hearing in the proceedings initiated against him.

The circumstances of the case were also discussed by Nenad Rashiq, the acting Minister for Communities and Returns, who shared accounts of intimidation experienced by him and his close associates.

Rashiq revealed that on July 24, 2025, a group of five or six of his associates received a phone call from a Serbian number. According to the minister, the caller identified himself as a BIA agent and asked them to travel to Belgrade to cooperate.

Paraphrasing the message he claims was conveyed to his associates, Rashiq said: “You are in a difficult situation. Come to Belgrade so that we can cooperate. If you refuse, you will face serious consequences.”

The acting minister said that after this incident, he realized the seriousness of the situation and immediately reported the matter to law enforcement authorities.

“From that moment, I knew this was not something insignificant. I went to report the case, and law enforcement suggested that we wait to find out who was behind it all,” he said.

Rashiq added that he initially agreed to follow the authorities’ advice and monitor developments, but the threats did not stop there.

“The following week, the same number sent us another message: ‘Fine, you did not want to cooperate. Now you will see for yourselves what we will do to you,’” he recounted.

While commenting on the trial of Fatmir Sheholli, Rashiq was cautious in his assessment, emphasizing that he could not determine whether the defendant was guilty.

“In short, I do not know whether he is guilty or not, but I do know that this was the method they used against us,” Rashiq concluded.