Bosnian Islamic Preacher Expected to Be Deported from Kosovo, Islamic Community Denies Prior Knowledge of Visit

Elvedin Peziq, an Islamic preacher from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is expected to be deported from Kosovo during the day. A source familiar with the organization of his visit and his stay in the country told Radio Free Europe (RFE) that Peziq had been escorted by Kosovo Police a day earlier, ahead of a planned event in Vitomirica, Peja.

RFE contacted Kosovo Police for confirmation of the case and additional information, but the institution has yet to respond.

Meanwhile, the Council of the Islamic Community of Kosovo in Peja told RFE that the Islamic Community had not been notified in advance either of Peziq’s arrival or of his activities in Kosovo.

According to the Islamic Community, Peziq had not submitted a request for permission or approval for the event. The institution also stressed that his visit had received no material or logistical support from it.

The Islamic Community also confirmed that it had communicated with Kosovo Police on the matter.

“Kosovo Police contacted us in writing, and we responded,” the Council of the Islamic Community in Peja said, without disclosing details about the content of the communication.

The council stressed that any religious activity, whether in places of worship or other venues, requires the permission or approval of the religious institution.

The announcement of Peziq’s planned event had been posted on social media by the congregation of a mosque in Dobrusha.

Before attending the planned event in Vitomirica, Peziq was escorted by police on Thursday for an informational interview.

Rexho Kojiq, a representative of the Kosovo-based nongovernmental organization “Young Volunteers,” which had organized the event, confirmed the news to RFE.

According to Kojiq, Peziq was taken to a police station in Pristina. He had legally entered Kosovo through the Kulla border crossing using documents issued by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kojiq said police had informed him that Peziq would be held for six hours for an identity check and that there was no need to engage a lawyer.

He also said that the authorities had asked Peziq whether he had permission from the Islamic Community of Kosovo to organize the event.

“He is not an imam at any mosque and did not need such permission. It was a book promotion,” Kojiq said.

To determine whether the institutions had been aware of Peziq’s visit, whether they had been involved in organizing the events, and whether the visit had received any institutional support or funding, RFE also contacted the municipalities of Peja and Prizren, as well as the Islamic Community of Kosovo.

Islamic preacher Mithad Qeman was also scheduled to take part in the same event. Kojiq said he, too, had been escorted by police but was released immediately.

Peziq and Qeman had planned to present a book in Vitomirica before proceeding to an event in Dobrusha, Istog. Another event was planned for Friday in Reçan, Prizren.