The “Severna Brigada,” which has been designated a terrorist organization, is suspected of renewing its threats to kill institutional officials in Kosovo. The Kosovo Police has registered the case as a criminal offense of terrorism and launched an investigation.

A report by the Kosovo Police states that the threatening messages were published on social media and are suspected of having been disseminated by the self-proclaimed “Severna Brigada.” The case was registered on July 28 and is being handled by the responsible units of the Kosovo Police.

The Government of Kosovo designated this organization as terrorist on June 29, 2023, at the same time as the “Civil Protection,” because of activities considered a threat to the country’s constitutional order and security.

The reappearance of these messages online has increased concerns about the activities of extremist structures and the security risks that Kosovo’s institutions continue to face.

One of the main questions raised is whether this is merely virtual pressure or whether the threats demonstrate that these structures still have the capacity to influence stability and the security climate in the country.

It also remains to be assessed whether the measures taken so far by the security institutions have been sufficient and whether preventing such incidents requires greater cooperation between local and international actors.

Security expert Arben Dashevci and security professor and retired general Muhamet Racaj gave their assessments of these developments to the newspaper “Bota sot.”

Dashevci: The organization remains a threat to national security

Expert Arben Dashevci says the latest threats do not constitute a new phenomenon. According to him, the “Severna Brigada” has acted in the past and continues to pose a risk to Kosovo’s security.

He places this organization in the same context as the so-called “Civil Protection” structure, emphasizing that both have been suspected of terrorist activities and destabilizing efforts.

“Yes, the terrorist organization ‘Severna Brigada’ has once again published death threats against institutional officials in Kosovo, after having done so repeatedly in the past. This organization and the so-called ‘Civil Protection’ directly endangered the national security of our country in 2023,” Dashevci told “Bota sot.”

According to the expert, the aim of these structures has been to spread fear and insecurity through threats, attacks and other forms of pressure.

“They are suspected of terrorist criminal offenses because their aim has been to sow panic, issue threats, carry out terrorist attacks, as in the case of Banjska, and engage in blackmail and sabotage. Their publications on social media raise concerns about institutional security and the impact of such groups on the country’s stability,” he emphasizes.

Dashevci says Kosovo’s authorities are treating these cases seriously and have demonstrated readiness, but warns that the threat from extremist groups has not disappeared.

“The continuation of threats from the ‘Severna Brigada’ shows that Kosovo’s institutions still face serious challenges from extremist groups, but there is maximum vigilance. Our security institutions are highly effective, and the measures taken so far to prevent such actions have been treated with the utmost seriousness,” he says.

He considers these developments part of a hybrid war being waged against Kosovo.

“These threats to the security of officials and to the political climate in Kosovo are part of a fierce hybrid war. In my assessment, they are directed by Serbia. These structures are not located in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo, but operate from outside and issue threats freely from their base in Serbia,” Dashevci declares.

According to him, addressing this risk requires closer coordination with international allies.

“A coordinated response is needed between our security institutions and international partners from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, always as a preventive measure to avoid an escalation of the situation,” he concludes.

Racaj: Attacks on institutions undermine the functioning of the state

Security professor and retired general Muhamet Racaj believes that the return of the threats cannot be considered merely an isolated episode.

He argues that this may be a sign that the extremist structures operating in northern Kosovo have not been completely dismantled and may be using different means to continue their activities.

“The return of threats from the terrorist organization ‘Severna Brigada’ should not be viewed as an isolated incident or merely as a virtual threat on social media. On the contrary, it is a serious indicator that the extremist structures operating in northern Kosovo have not been fully dismantled,” Racaj told “Bota sot.”

Racaj stresses that threats against the highest levels of the institutions affect not only the people holding those positions, but the constitutional order itself.

“When the President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the Assembly or other state institutions become the targets of threats, we are not dealing with threats against individuals, but against the normal functioning of the state,” he says.

According to the retired general, events in recent years have demonstrated that organized criminal and terrorist structures have existed in northern Kosovo.

“The events in Banjska, the attacks on the Kosovo Police, the attacks on KFOR personnel and organized criminal activities show that these structures possessed organization, financing and logistical support. For this reason, every new threat must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” he emphasizes.

He acknowledges that the security institutions have made progress in confronting these groups, but stresses that the fight against extremism requires uninterrupted efforts.

“The Kosovo Police, the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, the Special Prosecution and other security institutions have made significant progress in striking criminal and terrorist groups. Nevertheless, the fact that the ‘Severna Brigada’ continues to reappear shows that the fight against extremism is not over,” Racaj declares.

According to him, the threatening messages aim to create psychological insecurity, influence institutional decision-making and weaken citizens’ trust in the state.

“These threats directly affect the security of state officials and the political climate in the country. They aim to create psychological insecurity, exert pressure on institutional decision-making and undermine citizens’ confidence in the state’s ability to guarantee security,” he says.

Racaj calls for stronger cooperation between local institutions and foreign partners to respond to these risks.

“The Kosovo Police, the KIA, the Special Prosecution, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Kosovo Security Force, KFOR and international partners must exchange information in real time, identify the sources of financing and command of these groups, and take preventive measures,” he concludes for “Bota sot.”

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The Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) was unable to review the resignations of Serbian judges after the scheduled meeting failed due to a lack of quorum.

Three members boycotted the meeting following disagreements over the agenda, which also included the establishment of the Council’s standing committees.

The issue stems from the collective departure of around 130 Serbian judges, prosecutors and administrative employees from Kosovo’s institutions in November 2022.

Legal experts emphasize that the judges and prosecutors who resigned cannot automatically return to their positions. According to them, resignation carries legal consequences, meaning that any step must be taken in accordance with the procedures established by law.

They believe that a possible return can be considered only through regular procedures, including a recruitment process. According to the experts, every decision must have a legal basis and guarantee legal certainty and the functioning of the rule of law.

Halilaj: Failed meeting points to serious institutional problems

Lawyer Gazmend Halilaj told “Bota sot” that the inability to hold the KJC meeting is a troubling sign of how the justice system is functioning.

According to him, this situation shows that the justice system is facing serious institutional challenges that must be overcome responsibly and in accordance with the law. Halilaj stressed that the KJC is required, under both the Constitution and the law, to function without obstruction and make decisions in a timely manner, particularly when dealing with matters that affect the normal functioning of the judiciary.

Referring to the resignations of judges and staff from the Serb community, he said the prolonged delay in addressing them had raised significant legal and institutional questions.

Halilaj explained that resignation, as an individual act, generally carries legal consequences. However, according to him, the responsible body’s failure to respond for an extended period creates legal uncertainty and undermines the principle of the sound administration of justice.

He added that if it is established that the judges left their positions and did not perform their duties for an extended period, the KJC could consider disciplinary measures or their dismissal, provided that the legal criteria are met. According to him, such action must be taken in accordance with the legislation in force and only after all relevant procedures have been followed.

The lawyer emphasized that decision-making must be based on the law, guarantee the right to due process and respect constitutional standards. Only in this way, he said, can the decision remain sustainable and withstand any potential challenge.

In conclusion, Halilaj told “Bota sot” that the rule of law requires institutions not to allow prolonged institutional vacuums to emerge. He called for issues to be addressed promptly and professionally, as this is the only way to preserve citizens’ trust in the justice system and guarantee the efficient functioning of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

Burjani: Return cannot take place without a new recruitment process

Legal affairs expert Blerim Burjani told “Bota sot” that judges and prosecutors who resigned cannot return to the justice system without undergoing the procedures prescribed by law.

According to Burjani, there is no legal basis for their return. He explained that resignation is considered a voluntary departure and that a terminated contract cannot be renewed automatically.

He said it would be unlawful for them to return as though the resignations had never occurred. According to him, the issue should not be viewed from a political perspective but should be addressed in legal and contractual terms.

Burjani stressed that their return cannot take place without a new recruitment process. Only after they apply, he said, can it be assessed whether the former judges and prosecutors should be readmitted or whether new Serbian judges and prosecutors should be selected from the Serb community.

He also criticized the European Union’s response to the case, describing it as strange, nonsensical and incompatible with legal principles.

Burjani said that law and order are unrelated to politics. According to him, if individuals resigned from courts in EU countries, they would not be automatically reinstated—or, under any circumstances, even through a recruitment process.

Concluding his comments to “Bota sot,” he emphasized that the voluntary termination of a contract carries very serious legal consequences, regardless of the motives that led to such a decision.

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The session of the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) was not held due to lack of quorum, thus suspending the review of the resignations of Serb judges.

Three members of this body boycotted the meeting, after clashes over agenda items, which included the establishment of permanent commissions.

These resignations are part of a broad wave of departures from Kosovo institutions that occurred in November 2022, when around 130 judges, prosecutors, and administrative staff from the Serb community abandoned their posts.

Legal experts point out that these professionals cannot be reintegrated automatically. Resignation, as a unilateral act, creates concrete legal effects and mandates the application of rules defined by law.

According to them, any decision-making must have a strong legal basis, and a possible return can only be considered by following formal paths, such as the competition process, in order to preserve legal certainty and strengthen the rule of law.

Lawyer Gazmend Halilaj described the failure of the meeting as an alarming signal about the state of the justice system. He stressed that the KJC has constitutional and legal responsibilities to act without obstacles and to make timely decisions, especially on matters affecting the normal functioning of the judiciary.

Commenting on the delay in handling the resignations, Halilaj said this situation raises major questions about legal certainty and the sound administration of justice. He added that if it is confirmed that the judges abandoned their duties for a long time, the Council, respecting legal procedures, may also consider initiating disciplinary measures or dismissal, but always ensuring a fair process and constitutional standards.

In conclusion, he stressed that it is essential for institutions to avoid prolonged gaps and manage situations professionally, in order to preserve citizen trust in justice.

Meanwhile, another legal expert, Blerim Burjani, was firm in his stance that judges and prosecutors who resigned have no chance to return to the system without facing a new competition process. He explained that resignation, being considered a voluntary termination of the contract, cannot be automatically annulled, as this would be illegal and would disregard contractual consequences.

Burjani also criticized the European Union’s stance on this issue, calling it meaningless and not in line with legal principles. He said that in no EU country would such a return be allowed, not even after a competition, let alone automatically, underlining that voluntary termination of employment carries serious legal consequences, regardless of motives.

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Albulena Haxhiu, acting president of Kosovo, announced that she had signed decrees relieving seven prosecutors from the Serb community of their duties, implementing a decision by the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council.

According to Haxhiu, the signing of these decrees brings to an end a procedure that had dragged on for years, while the decision was implemented in accordance with the Constitution and legislation of the Republic of Kosovo, “Bota sot” reports.

In her announcement, she explained that the seven Serb prosecutors had submitted their resignations in 2022 and that the decrees were signed after the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council decided to relieve them of their duties.

Haxhiu stressed that this action concludes a process that had remained open for years and implements the decision of the responsible institution, in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Kosovo.

She said that the functioning of the state is based on the constitutional order and the rule of law, emphasizing that no one can hold institutions hostage or create legal uncertainty through unfinished processes.

According to her, the Republic of Kosovo will continue to act with determination, respecting the law and protecting the integrity of its institutions.

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