I’m Not Afraid”: Arianit Koci Calls for State Action on Those Arrested in Serbia

Kosovo’s institutions must demonstrate a far more serious commitment to protecting Kosovo citizens arrested in Serbia, lawyer Arianit Koci has said.

In a Facebook post, Koci said he has been following these cases for years and has been involved in the defense of many people who have been arrested.

Referring to recent developments, he said the circumstances that have arisen require greater coordination among Kosovo’s institutions.

Based on the impression formed through his years of experience, whenever a mass grave is discovered in Kosovo or new evidence emerges of crimes committed by Serbian forces, Serbia also responds by arresting Kosovo citizens.

Koci said such cases are intended to build a narrative that both sides committed crimes. For this reason, he said, the state must treat the protection of Kosovo citizens in Serbia far more seriously.

The lawyer said he has already offered his legal assistance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora free of charge. Along with the offer, he also submitted concrete proposals on how to defend those arrested.

However, Koci said he found no willingness for institutional coordination. He cited negligence, a lack of interest and the shifting of responsibility from one party to another, adding that his proposals had been informally dismissed as legally unfounded by people who, according to him, are not lawyers.

He also expressed concern about his own personal circumstances. Koci said Serbian authorities have detained him three times, including on occasions when he was traveling in a diplomatic vehicle and accompanied by the head of Kosovo’s Office in Belgrade.

He said his work is causing problems for the Serbian authorities, but stressed: “I’m not afraid.” Nevertheless, Koci said that under the current circumstances, his work must be coordinated with the state.

Finally, he clarified that his status as a lawyer from Kosovo does not allow him to practice law directly in Serbia. However, he can organize the coordination of the defense, advise the lawyers working there and assist by providing evidence and arguments.