Espionage Arrests in Kosovo: Meha Warns of Serbian-Russian Network and Calls for KIA Vetting

In recent years, authorities in Kosovo have arrested several people suspected of espionage and links to Serbia’s Security Intelligence Agency, the BIA.

Those arrested on these suspicions include Bedri Shabani, Muharrem Qerimi, Hysri Selimi and Fatmir Sheholli.

The most recent arrest involves Fehim Sali, who was detained on August 13, 2026, at the Merdare border crossing. He is suspected of espionage and collaboration with the Serbian BIA, while the Basic Court in Pristina has reportedly ordered him held in pretrial detention for 30 days.

Security expert Xhevat Meha has expressed concern that Serbian intelligence operations in Kosovo may extend into various institutions and sectors important to public life.

Speaking to “Bota sot” about the latest arrests, Meha said that several people had been arrested on such suspicions over the past two or three years, but that the total had yet to reach 10.

“A few days ago, an individual who was a Serbian spy was remanded in custody. Several have been imprisoned over the past two or three years, but their number has yet to reach 10. Serbia’s covert activity in Kosovo is extensive. In 2013, it was reported in Brussels that Serbia had 720 agents in Kosovo. During the war, it was reported that there were 140 agents within the KLA’s structures. Around 700 agents is the maximum number Serbia needs for Kosovo,” he said.

According to Meha, the main threat is determined not only by the number of agents but also by their positions and the reach of their network.

“The problem is not the number, but the reach of these Albanian-speaking Serbian-Russian agents. The research and analysis I have conducted in this field indicate that this network extends to the leaders of political parties and the heads of other institutions, such as the prosecution service, judiciary and investigative bodies—not to mention institutions such as the government, the presidency, the Assembly, state agencies, public enterprises and so on. We must also not forget the media, commentators, opinion-makers and others.”

Meha said that, according to the information available to him, the Kosovo Intelligence Agency has for several years been monitoring and documenting the activities of this covert Albanian-speaking Serbian-Russian network. He stressed that institutions should request information from the KIA, which has the mandate and authorization to provide it.

In conclusion, he called on the presidency, the Office of the Prime Minister, state agencies and independent institutions to request information from the KIA. According to him, the initiative should also include political parties, which should request clearance certificates for their leaders, executive committee members, general council members and delegates to party assemblies.

“A clearance certificate should be made a requirement for employment in state institutions and other institutions,” Meha concluded for “Bota sot.”