A person has been detained by the Kosovo Police after allegedly publishing threatening content against the Kosovo Assembly on his Facebook profile, Kosovo Radio Television reported.

The case was registered on September 10 at 7:15 p.m., while the suspect is being investigated for the criminal offense of “threatening,” according to a report by the Kosovo Police.

RTK also reported that the person in question is listed as a suspect in 31 criminal cases recorded between 2000 and 2023.

The offenses he is suspected of include attempted murder, assault, threatening, and the illegal possession and use of weapons.

In a post on the social network, he wrote: “I need 30 well-armed patriotic men to block the Kosovo Parliament and not surrender until they elect all the institutions; I will take responsibility and all the obligations myself.”

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“I share the concerns of industry experts that advanced artificial intelligence could pose an existential risk to humanity,” he told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in a wide-ranging speech ahead of the start of his second term next month.

He went on to say that efforts must be made to put safety and security safeguards in place before it is too late.

“I call here today for every effort to be made to establish unwavering safeguards regarding the safety and security of artificial intelligence before it is too late,” he added.

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Kadri Xhemaili has been sentenced to six months in prison for publicly threatening Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.

The sentence was handed down after Xhemaili pleaded guilty during Friday’s court hearing and expressed remorse for his actions.

The court approved the plea agreement reached between the defendant, his lawyer and the prosecution.

Prosecutor Bekim Kodraliu said the agreement had been reached voluntarily and that Xhemaili had been informed of the consequences of pleading guilty. His lawyer, Rinor Arifi, said the defense agreed with the deal.

Albin Kurti did not attend the hearing. Judge Rrahman Beqiri said the acting prime minister had accepted the invitation to be present, but had provided no reason for his absence.

The indictment links the case to a post made by Xhemaili on Facebook on October 22, 2025, in which he threatened Kurti with the intention of intimidating him in his capacity as Kosovo’s prime minister. According to the indictment, the threat also included depriving him of his life.

Following his guilty plea and the approval of the agreement with the prosecution, the court decided that Kadri Xhemaili should serve six months in prison.

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The Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo has filed an indictment against K.Xh., who is suspected of threatening acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

The indictment states that on October 22, 2025, K.Xh., acting intentionally and with the aim of intimidating an official because of his duties and position as prime minister of the Republic of Kosovo, publicly threatened the victim, A.K.

According to the prosecution, the threat against Kurti was made through the social network Facebook, where the defendant stated that he would take his life.

For these actions, K.Xh. is charged with the criminal offense of “Threatening.”

The case has been referred to the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina for review.

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The possibility that Serbia could interfere with the flow of the Ibar River has renewed concerns about Kosovo’s security, water supply and stability. The debate was sparked by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who said that the authorities in Belgrade were considering altering the river’s course within Serbian territory.

Vučić linked this scenario to his claims about the way Kosovo’s authorities treat Serbs. In doing so, he shifted the issue of transboundary waters from the technical to the political sphere.

The statement has raised questions about whether Serbia could use control of or interference with the Ibar’s flow as an instrument of pressure against Kosovo. Such an action could affect the country’s water supply, energy production, agriculture, environment and security.

The sensitivity of the issue is linked to the strategic importance of the Ibar River and the Ujman–Ibar-Lepenc system to Kosovo. A change in the volume or flow of water could have consequences for several sectors vital to the functioning of the state, not only the water supply.

At the heart of the debate is the question of whether the Serbian president’s warning is merely political rhetoric and part of hybrid warfare, or whether Kosovo should treat it as a concrete national security threat and address it without delay in the international arena.

Attention has also focused on the response of Kosovo’s institutions and international partners, particularly the European Union, the United States, NATO and other international institutions, in the event of any attempt to turn water resources into a tool of political pressure.

Security expert Arben Dashevci, speaking to “Bota sot,” interpreted Vučić’s statement as propaganda and a continuation of Serbia’s hybrid warfare.

According to Dashevci, the idea of altering the Ibar’s course cannot be implemented because of the rules of international law. He stressed that conventions governing transboundary waters do not permit interventions of this nature.

He said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had stated that the Serbian authorities were analyzing a “possibility” that, in his view, was unfeasible. Dashevci emphasized that international water conventions prohibit such an action, despite Vučić presenting it as a possible alteration of the Ibar’s course within Serbian territory and linking it to the treatment of Serbs by the authorities in Pristina.

In the expert’s assessment, the Serbian president’s claims do not correspond with the actual situation in Kosovo. He believes the aim is to create pressure and divert attention from the domestic problems Serbia is facing.

Dashevci described the statement as pure propaganda serving Vučić’s domestic political needs and as an attempt to shift the focus away from the many problems he has with his own people in Serbia. According to him, this is part of hybrid warfare and marks the second time Vučić has made a propagandistic claim with no practical effect that is absolutely impossible to implement.

For this reason, Dashevci believes the possibility of Serbia actually using an alteration of the Ibar’s course as a means of pressure against Kosovo is extremely remote.

He said he did not consider this scenario serious and that, in terms of international law on transboundary waters, the risk was zero. According to Dashevci, there can be no consequences from an action that cannot be implemented, as the international convention strictly prohibits it and is applied uniformly worldwide.

Nevertheless, the expert urged Kosovo not to remain passive diplomatically, even though he considers the threat impossible to carry out.

According to him, the Kosovo authorities should immediately raise the issue at the international level and coordinate their response with their main allies.

Dashevci called on Kosovo to alert the international community by using its full diplomatic capacity. He said the issue should be raised without delay through a response coordinated with the EU, the United Kingdom, the US and other international institutions.

Prof. Dr. Muhamet Racaj, a retired Major General, took a different view. He argued that Vučić’s words should not be reduced to political rhetoric or a technical discussion, as the issue affects national security, human security and hybrid warfare.

Racaj told “Bota sot” that the Serbian president’s warning that he was considering the possibility of altering the Ibar’s course, linked to claims about the treatment of Serbs in Kosovo, should be taken very seriously. In his view, this is not merely a political statement or a hydrotechnical debate, but an issue that must be analyzed within the framework of national and human security, as well as hybrid warfare.

He emphasized that one principle is becoming increasingly clear in international relations: the 21st century is an era of competition and conflict over energy, while the 22nd century may be characterized by fierce competition for water and other vital resources. For this reason, according to Racaj, water is no longer merely a natural resource, but also a strategic one.

In Kosovo’s case, he considers the importance of the Ibar and, in particular, the Ujman–Ibar-Lepenc system to be far greater than it may appear. Racaj referred to a report by the US-based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), published in 2021, which assessed Lake Gazivoda/Ujman as an important component of Kosovo’s water and energy security.

According to the report, the lake’s waters provide about one-third of Kosovo’s drinking water. They are also used to cool two coal-fired power plants, which at the time supplied about 95 percent of the country’s electricity production.

Racaj warned that deliberate interference by a state actor with the volume, quality or flow of water could trigger a chain of consequences for the drinking water supply, agriculture, industry, energy, public health and social stability. According to him, it is precisely this interdependence that makes the situation far more serious.

He also linked his concerns to previous events affecting Kosovo’s water infrastructure, singling out the attack on the Ibar-Lepenc canal in November 2024.

Racaj recalled that an explosion in northern Kosovo damaged the Ibar-Lepenc canal in November 2024. The attack disrupted the water supply and put the country’s energy system at risk. Security measures were strengthened after the incident, while KFOR took steps to protect critical infrastructure.

Responsibility for that attack remained the subject of accusations and investigations, while Belgrade denied any involvement. According to Racaj, this context makes Vučić’s latest statement even more troubling, as it removes water from the sphere of technical cooperation and places it in the realm of political and potentially security-related pressure.

From a technical perspective, Racaj referred to hydrotechnical engineer Mumin Morina, who has emphasized that a river’s course can technically be altered through hydrotechnical works. However, technical feasibility does not mean that a state has the right to act as it wishes, because international legal norms apply in such cases.

He explained that the UNECE Convention on transboundary waters is based on three main principles: preventing harm across borders, the equitable and reasonable use of waters, and cooperation among states that share the same water system.

UNECE also stipulates that interventions that could reduce or alter water flows into a downstream state must be handled in accordance with these obligations and through consultations between the parties. For Racaj, this means that water cannot be used as a political weapon or as a mechanism for punishing a population.

Regarding Kosovo’s response, Racaj called for immediate and coordinated diplomatic, security and strategic action. In his professional assessment, the threat should be addressed on three levels.

At the first, diplomatic level, Kosovo should immediately document the statement and officially submit it to the EU, the US, NATO, the United Nations, the OSCE and the relevant international institutions dealing with transboundary waters. Racaj stressed that a response should not be postponed until the threat turns into concrete action.

The second level concerns security. According to him, water infrastructure should be classified and protected as critical national infrastructure. This includes Ujman, the Ibar-Lepenc canal, water supply facilities and parts of the system linked to energy production.

Racaj added that the protection of these assets cannot be limited to physical security alone. It must also encompass the cyber, technological and information dimensions.

The third level is strategic, where Kosovo, according to him, should establish reserves and alternatives. A state is less vulnerable to blackmail when its supplies do not depend on a single source. For this reason, he called for the diversification of water sources, reservoirs, supply systems, emergency capacities and energy connections.

The retired Major General stressed that developments should also be analyzed through the lens of hybrid warfare, because vital resources and critical infrastructure can be used to exert pressure even without a direct military confrontation.

According to Racaj, modern conflicts do not necessarily begin with aircraft and tanks. They may begin with a political statement, a disinformation campaign, economic pressure, a cyberattack, infrastructure sabotage or the manipulation of a vital resource. In this sense, the use of water as an instrument of pressure would constitute a typical case of hybrid warfare against a state and society.

Nevertheless, he urged against creating panic, noting that a political statement is not the same as the technical implementation of a project. Precisely because of the potential scale of the consequences, Racaj said the state should be guided by the principle of prevention.

He proposed that Kosovo ask its international partners to establish a permanent mechanism for monitoring and cooperation regarding the Ibar’s transboundary waters. According to him, this mechanism should ensure transparency for every new hydrotechnical project that could affect the flow of water.

Concluding his comments to “Bota sot,” Prof. Dr. Muhamet Racaj said the message must be unequivocal: the Ibar cannot be used as a political instrument, and Ujman cannot be turned into a weapon of pressure against Kosovo.

The post Vučić’s Threat over the Ibar River Alarms Kosovo, Experts Divided on Level of Risk appeared first on Albeu.com.

A new wave of concern has swept across Kosovo following Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić’s statement that Belgrade is considering the possibility of diverting the course of the Ibar River in the Serbian sector. The statement has brought the security of the water supply and the country’s overall stability into focus.

The Serbian head of state justified the initiative by referring to what he calls the unfair treatment of the Serbian community by Kosovo’s institutions, thus turning the issue of water resources into an entirely political matter.

These claims have sparked a broad debate over the level of risk posed by using control over the Ibar as leverage against Kosovo, as well as the potential effects on the water supply, energy production, the agricultural sector, the ecosystem and national security.

The strategic position of the Ibar River, and particularly the Ujman–Ibar-Lepenc system, makes this an extremely sensitive issue for Kosovo. Any action that affected the volume or direction of the water flow could have far-reaching consequences, impacting both the drinking water supply and other sectors vital to the state.

Against this backdrop, the question is whether Vučić’s words are merely a rhetorical exercise and an element of hybrid warfare, or whether the authorities in Pristina should view them as a concrete threat to national security and urgently raise the issue at the international level.

Also crucial will be the position taken by Kosovo’s institutions and allies such as the European Union, the United States, NATO and other global bodies in response to any attempt to turn water reserves into a weapon of pressure.

Dashevci: Propaganda statement, no practical risk

Speaking to the “Bota sot” news portal, security expert Arben Dashevci described Vučić’s claims as mere propaganda and part of Serbia’s hybrid arsenal.

According to him, changing the course of the Ibar is an impossible scenario from the standpoint of international law, since treaties governing transboundary rivers do not authorize interventions of this nature.

“Yes, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, has stated that the Serbian authorities are considering the impossible ‘possibility’—because it is impossible, as international water conventions do not permit such a thing—and that, supposedly, according to him, he wants to change the course of the Ibar River within Serbian territory, linking such an action to the treatment of Serbs by the authorities in Pristina,” he said.

Dashevci added that the Serbian leader’s claims do not reflect the reality in Kosovo and that the entire maneuver is intended to generate pressure and divert attention from domestic turmoil in Serbia.

“Vučić’s statement is pure propaganda for his domestic political needs, aimed at shifting attention away from the many problems he has there with his own people in that country and, of course, it is a continuation of his hybrid warfare, because this is the second time he has repeated propaganda that has no practical effect and is absolutely impossible,” he stressed.

He believes the probability of the Ibar’s diversion being used as a tool of blackmail is almost zero, precisely because of the barriers imposed by international law.

“Therefore, I do not think it is serious at all. From the standpoint of international law governing transboundary waters, the risk of Serbia using a change in the Ibar’s course as a means of pressure against Kosovo is zero. There can be no consequence when something cannot be carried out because it is prohibited by an international convention that applies equally and strictly throughout the world,” he said.

Nevertheless, the expert emphasized that despite its technical and legal impossibility, Kosovo should be proactive diplomatically and immediately raise the concern with its strategic partners.

“Kosovo should alert the international community using all of its diplomatic capacity. I believe it should immediately raise the issue at the international level through a coordinated response with the EU, the United Kingdom and, certainly, the US, as well as other international institutions,” Dashevci concluded.

Racaj: Water as a strategic asset, statement demands an immediate response

In contrast to this position, Prof. Dr. Muhamet Racaj, a reserve Major General, believes Vučić’s statement cannot be treated as a simple rhetorical episode or a hydrotechnical debate, but as a challenge that affects national security, human security and the sphere of hybrid warfare.

“The statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that Serbia is considering the possibility of changing the course of the Ibar River, linking this to claims about the treatment of Serbs in Kosovo, must be taken very seriously. This is not merely a political statement or a hydrotechnical debate. In my view, it should be analyzed as an issue of national security, human security and hybrid warfare.

There is a principle that is becoming increasingly clear in international relations: the 21st century is the century of competition and conflict over energy, while the 22nd century may be the century of fierce competition over water and other vital resources. For this reason, water can no longer be treated solely as a natural resource; it is also a strategic resource.

In Kosovo’s case, the importance of the Ibar, and particularly the Ujman–Ibar-Lepenc system, is far greater than it appears at first glance. A report by the American Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), published in 2021, considers Gazivoda/Ujman Lake an important component of Kosovo’s water and energy security. According to the report, the lake’s waters provide about one-third of Kosovo’s drinking water and are used to cool two coal-fired power plants, which at the time accounted for about 95 percent of Kosovo’s electricity production.

This makes the issue much more serious. If a state actor manages to deliberately influence the quantity, quality or flow of the water, it can trigger cascading consequences affecting drinking water, agriculture, industry, energy, public health and social stability,” Racaj said.

He linked this warning to previous events that affected the country’s water infrastructure, recalling the explosion that struck the Ibar-Lepenc canal in November 2024.

“Therefore, Vučić’s statement should also be viewed in the context of what happened in November 2024, when an explosion damaged the Ibar-Lepenc canal in northern Kosovo. The attack caused disruptions to the water supply and threatened the country’s energy system; following the incident, security measures were increased and KFOR took steps to protect critical infrastructure. Responsibility for the attack remained the subject of accusations and investigations, while Belgrade denied involvement.

In this sense, the Serbian president’s latest statement is concerning because it moves water from the sphere of technical cooperation into that of political and potentially security-related pressure.

From a technical standpoint, as hydrotechnical engineer Mumin Morina has also pointed out, interventions in a river’s course can technically be carried out through hydrotechnical works. But this does not mean that a state has the right to do so at will. This is precisely where international law comes into play.

The UNECE Convention on Transboundary Waters establishes three fundamental principles: the prevention of transboundary harm, the equitable and reasonable use of waters, and cooperation between states that share the same water system. UNECE also emphasizes that even interventions in watercourses that could reduce or alter flows to a downstream state must be addressed within the framework of these obligations and consultations between the parties.

Therefore, water cannot be used as a political weapon or as a means of punishing a population,” he added.

Regarding the steps Pristina should take, Racaj insisted on a swift and coordinated response on several fronts.

“In my professional view, the threat should be addressed at three levels.

First, the diplomatic level. Kosovo should immediately document the statement and formally submit it to the EU, the US, NATO, the United Nations, the OSCE and the relevant international institutions dealing with transboundary waters. There should be no waiting for a threat to become concrete action before responding.

Second, the security level. Water infrastructure should be treated as critical national infrastructure. This includes Ujman, the Ibar-Lepenc canal, water supply facilities and components linked to energy production. Protection should not only be physical, but also cyber, technological and informational.

Third, the strategic level. Kosovo should develop alternatives and reserves. A state is better protected from blackmail when it does not depend on a single source. Therefore, the diversification of water sources, reservoirs, supply systems, emergency capacities and energy links is required,” Racaj said, listing the measures.

He warned that the situation should also be analyzed through the prism of hybrid warfare, because essential resources and vital infrastructure can be turned into instruments of blackmail without the need for an open military conflict.

“We must also bear in mind the hybrid warfare dimension. Modern warfare does not necessarily begin with tanks and aircraft. It can begin with a political statement, a disinformation campaign, economic pressure, a cyberattack, infrastructure sabotage or the manipulation of a vital resource. In this sense, using water as an instrument of pressure would be a typical example of hybrid warfare against a state and society.

However, we must also make an important distinction: panic should not be created. A political statement is not the same as the technical implementation of a project. But precisely because the potential consequences are so significant, the state must act according to the principle of prevention.

Kosovo should ask its international partners to establish a permanent mechanism for monitoring and cooperation regarding the Ibar’s transboundary waters, with transparency concerning any new hydrotechnical project that could affect the water flow.

The message must be clear: the Ibar cannot be used as a political tool, and Ujman cannot be turned into a weapon of pressure against Kosovo,” Prof. Dr. Muhamet Racaj said in closing his interview with “Bota sot.”

The post Vučić Threatens to Divert the Ibar River, Experts Divided: Propaganda or a Real Threat to Kosovo? appeared first on Albeu.com.

A statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has revived concerns about Kosovo’s water and energy security. He announced that Serbian authorities are considering the possibility of changing the course of the Ibër River within Serbian territory.

Vučić justified a possible move with his claims about how Serbs are treated by Kosovo’s institutions, turning the issue of cross-border waters into a direct instrument of political debate.

The statement has sparked discussions over whether Serbia could exploit its control over, or intervene in, the course of the Ibër as a means of putting pressure on Kosovo, as well as over the consequences such a situation would have for drinking water, energy, agriculture, the environment and national security.

The sensitivity of this issue is linked to the strategic importance of the Ibër River and, particularly, the Ujman–Ibër-Lepenc system. A change in the volume or flow of water could have consequences in several vital areas of Kosovo’s state functioning.

In the face of this situation, the question remains open as to whether the Serbian president’s statement is merely part of political rhetoric and hybrid warfare, or whether Kosovo should immediately treat it as a concrete threat to national security and raise it in the international arena.

The response of Kosovo’s institutions and its partners, including the European Union, the United States, NATO and other international organizations, is also expected to be equally important in the face of any attempt to turn water resources into a tool of political pressure.

Security expert Arben Dashevci described Vučić’s statement as propaganda and another element of Serbia’s hybrid warfare.

According to Dashevci, changing the course of the Ibër cannot be carried out legally, as international conventions on cross-border waters do not allow such an intervention.

“The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, has spoken about considering the ‘possibility’ of changing the course of the Ibër River on Serbian territory, linking this claim to the treatment of Serbs by the authorities in Pristina. But this possibility is impossible because international conventions on water do not allow it,” he said.

The expert assessed that the Serbian president’s claims do not correspond to the reality in Kosovo and that their aim is to create political pressure while diverting attention from Serbia’s domestic problems.

“Vučić’s statement is pure propaganda for his domestic political needs. It aims to divert attention from the many problems he has with his own people in that country and is a continuation of his hybrid warfare. This is the second time such propaganda without practical effect and absolutely impossible to implement has been mentioned,” Dashevci said.

He stressed that using a change in the course of the Ibër as an instrument of pressure against Kosovo is practically impossible because of the restrictions imposed by international law.

“I do not consider this threat serious at all. Under international law on cross-border waters, the risk that Serbia could use a change in the course of the Ibër as a means of pressure against Kosovo is zero. There can be no consequences from an action that an international convention strictly prohibits, equally for the entire world,” he said.

Although he considers the implementation of such a scenario impossible, Dashevci called on Kosovo to respond actively through diplomacy.

He said the issue should be raised without delay at the international level and discussed in cooperation with Kosovo’s main allies.

“Kosovo must alert the international community using all its diplomatic capacity. The issue must immediately be raised at the international level through a coordinated response with the EU, the United Kingdom and, above all, the US, as well as with other international institutions,” Dashevci concluded.

Another assessment was provided by Prof. Dr. Muhamet Racaj, a retired Major General, who believes the statement should not be viewed merely as political rhetoric or as a technical discussion about water.

Racaj described the issue as directly linked to national security, human security and hybrid warfare.

“The statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that Serbia is considering changing the course of the Ibër River and that he links this to claims about the treatment of Serbs in Kosovo must be taken very seriously. This is not merely a political statement or a hydrotechnical debate. It must be analyzed as an issue of national security, human security and hybrid warfare.

“One principle is becoming increasingly evident in international relations: the 21st century is the century of competition and the struggle for energy, while the 22nd century could become the century of fierce clashes over water and other vital resources. For this reason, water should no longer be viewed only as a natural asset, but also as a strategic resource.

“In Kosovo’s case, the importance of the Ibër and, in particular, the Ujman–Ibër-Lepenc system is far greater than it may appear. A report by the American Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), published in 2021, assesses Lake Gazivoda/Ujman as an important part of Kosovo’s water and energy security. According to the report, water from the lake provides around one-third of Kosovo’s drinking water and is used to cool two coal-fired power plants, which at the time produced around 95 percent of Kosovo’s electricity.

“This significantly increases the seriousness of the situation. If a state manages to deliberately influence the quantity, quality or flow of water, the consequences could spread through drinking water, agriculture, industry, energy, public health and social stability,” Racaj told Bota sot.

His concerns are also linked to previous events affecting Kosovo’s water infrastructure, particularly the attack on the Ibër-Lepenc canal in November 2024.

“Vučić’s statement should be viewed in light of what happened in November 2024, when an explosion damaged the Ibër-Lepenc canal in northern Kosovo. As a result, the water supply was interrupted and the country’s energy system was placed at risk. Following the incident, security measures were increased, while KFOR took measures to protect critical infrastructure. Responsibility for the attack remained the subject of accusations and investigations, while Belgrade denied involvement.

“This is precisely why the Serbian president’s latest statement is concerning: it removes water from the sphere of technical cooperation and places it within the framework of political and potentially security-related pressure.

“From a technical perspective, as hydrotechnical engineer Mumin Morina has also argued, the course of a river can be changed through hydrotechnical works. But technical capability does not give a state the right to undertake such action at its own discretion. This is precisely where international law applies.

“The UNECE Convention on cross-border waters is based on three main principles: preventing transboundary harm, the equitable and reasonable use of water, and cooperation between states that share the same water system. UNECE emphasizes that any intervention in the flow that could reduce or alter water discharge in the downstream state must be addressed within these obligations and through consultations between the parties.

“Consequently, water cannot be turned into a political weapon or used as a means of punishing a population,” Racaj said.

According to him, Kosovo’s response must be swift and coordinated and must simultaneously include diplomatic and security measures, as well as strategic planning.

“In my professional assessment, this threat must be addressed on three levels.

“The first is the diplomatic level. Kosovo must immediately document the statement and officially send it to the EU, the US, NATO, the United Nations, the OSCE and the relevant international institutions dealing with cross-border waters. We must not wait for the threat to turn into action before responding.

“The second level is security. Water infrastructure must be considered critical national infrastructure. This includes Ujman, the Ibër-Lepenc canal, water-supply facilities and the parts of the system connected to energy production. Their security must be physical, cyber, technological and informational.

“The third level is the strategic one. Kosovo must create alternatives and reserves, because a state is less exposed to blackmail when it does not depend on a single source. This requires diversifying water sources, reservoirs, supply networks, emergency capacities and energy connections,” Racaj said.

Prof. Dr. Racaj also placed the situation within the framework of hybrid warfare, in which vital resources and critical infrastructure can be used to exert pressure without necessarily being accompanied by a direct military confrontation.

“We must consider the dimension of hybrid warfare. Modern conflict does not necessarily begin with tanks and aircraft. It can take the form of a political statement, a disinformation campaign, economic pressure, a cyberattack, infrastructure sabotage or the manipulation of a vital resource. In this sense, using water as an instrument of pressure would constitute a typical example of hybrid warfare against a state and society.

“Nevertheless, a distinction must be made between two things: a political statement is not the same as the technical implementation of a project. Panic must not be caused, but given the scale of the potential consequences, the state must be guided by the principle of prevention.

“Kosovo should ask its international partners to establish a permanent monitoring and cooperation mechanism for the Ibër’s cross-border waters. This mechanism should guarantee transparency regarding any new hydrotechnical project that could affect the flow of water.

“The message must be unequivocal: the Ibër cannot be used as a political instrument, and Ujman cannot be turned into a tool of pressure against Kosovo,” Prof. Dr. Muhamet Racaj told Bota sot.

The post Vučić threatens to change the course of the Ibër, experts divided over the risk to Kosovo appeared first on Albeu.com.

Police have arrested the person suspected of threatening the chair of the Central Election Commission, Kreshnik Radoniqi, via social media.

According to media sources, the arrested man is 32-year-old Haziz Bytyqi, while the threat was made on February 9, 2025.

Bytyqi was apprehended by police at the Vërmica border crossing.

The arrest was also confirmed to the media by the Basic Prosecution Office in Pristina through its spokesperson, Kaltrina Shala.

“In response to your request for information, we wish to inform you that, by order of the State Prosecutor, a person with the initials H.B. has been detained for 48 hours. He is suspected of committing the criminal offense of ‘Threat,’ as defined in Article 181 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo. In this matter, the State Prosecutor is taking all necessary investigative measures and actions in accordance with the applicable legal provisions,” Shala stated.

The post 32-Year-Old Suspected of Threatening CEC Chair Arrested appeared first on Albeu.com.

Turkish Major General Ozgan Ulutash, the commander of KFOR, has described the security situation in Kosovo as calm. According to him, no incidents of a similar scale or intensity have been recorded since the attacks on NATO troops in the north in May 2023 and the incident in Banjska.

However, in written responses to KosovaPress, Ulutash acknowledged that several unresolved issues remain that could affect security and therefore need to be addressed.

He recalled that he began his first term at the helm of KFOR in 2023, after northern Kosovo had faced serious security incidents earlier that year, including the unjustifiable and unacceptable attacks on peacekeepers in Zvečan. As a result of these developments, KFOR received its largest reinforcement in more than a decade, with the deployment of nearly 1,000 additional troops.

Ulutash stressed that there has been no recurrence of incidents of that scale or intensity since then. Nevertheless, KFOR remains vigilant, maintaining a visible and flexible presence throughout Kosovo. According to him, the mission closely monitors all relevant developments that could affect Kosovo’s security and regional stability, while remaining fully focused on implementing its mandate under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999.

As the security situation stabilizes, NATO will optimize KFOR’s presence in Kosovo and gradually adjust the current troop level over the coming year. The commander explained that this process would be carried out step by step and would depend on conditions on the ground, while it could be reversed if security developments require it. He added that KFOR’s presence has been continuously adjusted since 1999 to ensure that the mission retains the ability to carry out its duties and respond to changes in the security situation.

According to the commander of NATO forces in Kosovo, KFOR has identified two developments that are particularly concerning for security: inflammatory rhetoric and the continued use of disinformation. He believes political action is also needed to address them.

Ulutash said these phenomena could affect the security environment, which is why KFOR remains vigilant and well positioned throughout Kosovo. He assured that the mission would continue to perform the duties for which it is mandated, but emphasized that lasting security is achieved through political rather than military means.

For this reason, KFOR will continue its role within NATO’s broader commitment to supporting progress in the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. According to Ulutash, this dialogue provides the framework in which all outstanding issues should be addressed and solutions found that fully respect the rights of all communities.

The KFOR commander also described the current situation in northern Kosovo as calm. He explained that the mission maintains a regular, visible and flexible presence there through patrols, observation posts and contacts with all local communities.

This approach, combined with close coordination and communication with the Kosovo Police, EULEX and the Serbian Armed Forces, enables KFOR to maintain a comprehensive overview of the situation. According to him, it also keeps the mission prepared to respond effectively to any significant security developments.

The Turkish general has been leading KFOR for a second time since October last year, while his first term lasted from October 2023 to October 2024. In the interview, he was also asked about his visits to Belgrade and the topics he discusses with the Serbian military leadership.

Ulutash said KFOR maintains regular and transparent communication with the Serbian Armed Forces at all levels. During his latest visit to Belgrade, he met with the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Mojsilović. It was their fifth meeting.

The KFOR commander spoke highly of the cooperation built over the years with Major General Mojsilović. According to him, this cooperation has helped in several areas by increasing transparency and mutual trust, as well as contributing to the preservation of regional stability.

Responding to critics in Kosovo who claim that KFOR sometimes shows greater understanding for Belgrade’s concerns than for those of Pristina, Ulutash said impartiality is the foundation of the mission’s work.

He stressed that KFOR’s mandate is clear and aims to help create a safe and secure environment for everyone living in Kosovo. According to him, all of the mission’s daily activities are guided by this mandate, while long-term security can exist only if all communities feel they benefit from it.

Ulutash said KFOR continues to implement its UN-mandated mission fully and impartially. He added that impartiality has always been the foundation of KFOR’s activities and will continue to guide the peacekeeping mission’s daily work, including his regular meetings with all interlocutors.

These contacts also include representatives of Kosovo’s institutions. Ulutash said he recently met with Mr. Kurti, with whom he exchanged views on a range of issues and on KFOR’s continued contribution to regional stability.

The post Ozkan Ulutash Explains the Security Situation in Kosovo, Defense Measures and KFOR’s Contacts with Serbia appeared first on Albeu.com.

Kosovo Police have announced that the so-called terrorist organization “Severna Brigada” has made death threats against institutional officials in Zubin Potok.

According to the police report, the threats were made through a social media platform.

Authorities said the case is now being investigated by the relevant police units.

The post “Severna Brigada” Threatens Officials in Zubin Potok with Death, Kosovo Police Launch Investigation appeared first on Albeu.com.