The Kosovo Police discovered and seized weapons and ammunition in a barn in the village of Kleçkë, in the municipality of Zubin Potok, following information provided by citizens.
The operation was carried out on October 31, after authorities received information that weapons and other illegal items might have been hidden at the location.
Të lidhura
None found
During the search, police officers found four hunting rifles, including a semi-automatic and a double-barrelled rifle, as well as an automatic weapon.
They also seized a TT pistol with an empty magazine, 33 rounds of ammunition for long guns, a scope case and two empty magazines for long guns.
No one has been arrested so far. On the instructions of the State Prosecutor, a case was initiated for the criminal offense of “Unauthorized possession, control or ownership of weapons.”
Former investigator Agim Rexhepi described the seizure as an indication that the problem of illegal gun ownership continues, considering it a serious concern for public safety and stability in the country.
Rexhepi praised the work and professional response of the Kosovo Police, but warned that such cases should not remain isolated interventions.
“I would like to congratulate the Kosovo Police on the response and professionalism they demonstrated. However, such cases should be viewed as an alarm requiring sustained commitment and coordination among all security institutions, rather than merely as isolated operations,” he said.
According to the former investigator, the danger posed by illegal weapons is not limited to the fact that they are kept in barns, homes or abandoned buildings. They may also end up in the hands of irresponsible individuals or criminal groups.
“Illegal weapons are not simply objects hidden in barns, homes or abandoned buildings. They pose a potential threat to citizens’ lives, public order and the overall security of the Republic of Kosovo,” Rexhepi said.
He called on security institutions to increase inspections and investigations, especially in areas where there is information or suspicion that illegal weapons are being stored or stockpiled.
Rexhepi stressed that these actions must be carried out in accordance with the law, based on police intelligence and reliable information, without differential treatment or compromise toward those who violate the law.
“Security institutions must intensify inspections and investigations, particularly in areas where there is information or suspicion concerning the possession and storage of illegal weapons. Actions must be based on the law, police intelligence and reliable information, without discrimination and without compromise toward anyone who breaks the law,” the former investigator said.
According to him, cooperation between citizens and security agencies also plays an important role. Referring to the fact that the operation in Zubin Potok was also made possible by information provided by citizens, he called for this cooperation to continue and be strengthened.
“Citizens should be encouraged to report any information about illegal weapons, while they should be guaranteed confidential handling of their information and their safety,” Rexhepi said.
In addition to police inspections, he proposed organizing awareness campaigns and establishing legal programs for the voluntary surrender of weapons, with the aim of reducing the number of weapons held without authorization.
Rexhepi emphasized that security is not strengthened through the possession of illegal weapons, but through enforcement of the law and trust in the responsible institutions.
In his closing message, the former investigator called for the fight against this phenomenon not to be limited to responses after cases are discovered, but to be treated as an ongoing priority by institutions and citizens.
“Kosovo needs more security, not more illegal weapons! We must not wait for a hidden weapon to be used in a crime or tragedy before understanding the danger it poses,” Rexhepi concluded.
