Makasqi: Kosovo is managing security better than the region, but family murders remain a concern

Criminologist Dita Makasqi has given a positive assessment of the work of the country’s security structures, emphasizing that Kosovo is functioning better than many other Balkan countries in this field. However, she noted that there remains room for improvement, especially in preventive mechanisms and in the connections between institutions.

Asked whether the number of murders is showing an increase, she considered that the figures from the first six months of 2026 are not sufficient for such a conclusion, since they cannot be directly compared with the statistics of a full year.

According to the numbers mentioned in the discussion, from January to June 2026, 13 murders were registered, while throughout the entire year 2025, around 19 cases were recorded.

On the “Ditari” show on Tëvë1, Makasqi also paid special attention to the relationship that should exist between official bodies and citizens.

She pointed out that the effectiveness of the Kosovo Police surpasses its counterparts in the region in many aspects, but stressed that this does not mean the work is finished. According to her, the key lies in multidisciplinary cooperation, which would make society stronger and healthier. Relying on police data, the criminologist recalled the comparison between the 13 cases of the six-month period and the 19 cases of last year, emphasizing that periods of unequal length do not allow one to speak of an annual pattern of the phenomenon.

She expressed particular concern about murders that occur within the walls of the home or among persons who know each other, a phenomenon she described as extremely dangerous for the protection of security.

As a way forward, Makasqi proposed strengthening inter-institutional coordination, as well as the more active engagement of society, which she considers the right combination to improve the overall security situation in the country.