From arrests to indictments: How the espionage network linked to Serbia’s BIA in Kosova was hit during 2025?

The following individuals were arrested or became subject to criminal proceedings for suspected espionage: Fatmir Sheholli, Jelena Gjukanović, Bojan Jevtić, and Hysri Selimi.

The official authorities of the Republic of Kosova and the Kosova Intelligence Agency (AKI), during 2025 were actively engaged in uncovering and criminally prosecuting individuals suspected of the criminal offense of espionage considered a serious threat to national security and the country’s sovereignty.

As a result of these efforts, several suspected espionage cases were uncovered, involving arrests, pre-trial detention, and indictments filed by the Special Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kosova (SPRK).

These cases, mainly related to suspicions of cooperation with foreign intelligence services, primarily Serbia’s Intelligence and Security Agency (BIA), raised serious concerns regarding national security and the protection of state information.

The Special Prosecutor’s Office provided figures and details about actions taken during the year in relation to the criminal offense of espionage.

“In connection with the criminal offense of espionage, four persons were arrested and pre-trial detention was ordered for them,” said Arbnora Luta, spokesperson for the Special Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the arrests resulted from investigations conducted in cooperation with security institutions, including the Kosova Police and the AKI.

The following individuals were arrested or became subject to criminal proceedings for suspected espionage: Fatmir Sheholli, Jelena Gjukanović, Bojan Jevtić, and Hysri Selimi.

Fatmir Sheholli was arrested on October 9, in Prishtina on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of espionage, following several months of investigations coordinated by the Kosova Police, the Kosova Intelligence Agency, and the Special Prosecution. The Prosecutor’s file states that Sheholli collected information regarding alleged usurped Serbian properties in Kosova and transmitted this information to the BIA via telephone communications.

Acting under the instructions and plans of an individual identified as Bojan Dimić, on September 26 of this year in North Mitrovica, Sheholli received materials, audio recordings, and transcripts of conversations involving officials of the Ministry for Communities and Return, which are suspected to be compromising, as well as a sum of money as compensation for their publication. These materials were later published in online media.

In addition, Sheholli is alleged to have received further financial compensation from this individual. On October 10, one day after his arrest the court imposed a one-month detention measure, which was later extended by the trial panel.

Bojan Jevtić, a lieutenant in the Kosova Police who served as the operational chief of the border police at the “Dheu i Bardhë” crossing point, was arrested on July 17, on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities and being recruited by Serbia’s BIA. The Special Prosecution’s case file alleges that Jevtić transmitted sensitive information about Kosova’s security institutions, including movements and operational plans of the police.

Following his arrest, Jevtić remains in pretrial detention, while the case continues through judicial proceedings.

Hysri Selimi was arrested on May 6, on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of espionage in cooperation with Serbia’s Intelligence and Security Agency. An indictment against him was filed on September 9.

From November 2009 until his arrest, Selimi was recruited by Serbia’s Intelligence and Security Agency and provided them with information on former members of the Kosova Liberation Army (UÇK), war crimes, and radicalized individuals. Acting on BIA instructions, he traveled to Syria in 2015, joined ISIS, and reported on the participation of Albanians there. After returning and serving a prison sentence, he continued cooperating with the BIA by providing information on radicalization and Wahhabi movements in Kosova, for which he was paid up to 700 euro per month and supplied with communication equipment.

Jelena Gjukanović, an official of the OSCE Mission in Kosova, was arrested on February 28, on suspicion of espionage and was initially detained for 48 hours by the Special Prosecution following several months of investigation.

On September 4, the SPRK filed an indictment against Gjukanović, charging her with providing sensitive information to Serbia’s BIA.

The Prosecution states that the accused received instructions from Aleksandar Vllajić, who has since been convicted of espionage. She is also alleged to have contributed to the creation of a hostile narrative against Kosova’s security institutions, statehood, and territorial integrity. In September, the Basic Court in Prishtina extended her pretrial detention by an additional two months.

The Special Prosecution informed that during the past year it filed a total of four indictments against five individuals arrested for the criminal offense of “Espionage.”

“The Special Prosecution filed four indictments against five persons for the criminal offense of ‘Espionage.’ For all five accused persons, the basic criminal offense is ‘Espionage.’ Additionally, in December, one indictment was filed involving one person also charged with the criminal offense of ‘Espionage,’” highlighted the spokesperson of the SPRK.

The indictment filed in December is against Jovan Viqentijević, who is one of the main suspects in the attack carried out on the Ibër-Lepenc canal in November 2024. Viqentijević is charged, among other offenses, with espionage.

The espionage cases during 2025 demonstrate an ongoing security challenge for Kosova, but also reflect the increased capacities of justice and security institutions to identify and prosecute such criminal activities.

Under the Criminal Code of Kosova, espionage is considered a serious crime and is punishable by at least five years of imprisonment if the suspect is found guilty.

Experts have stated that espionage represents a serious threat to Kosova’s security, and that the recent arrests only highlight the persistent risk.

With arrests, indictments, and active investigations, authorities have indicated that the fight against espionage will remain a strategic priority in the coming years as well. /Telegrafi/