Kosovo imam faces terror charges

March 12, 2015

For the first time, Kosovo is set to prosecute citizens for alleged ties to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terror organisation.

Some 55 alleged jihadists have been arrested since last year as part of police efforts to stem terrorist recruiting efforts and prevent young people from heading to Syria and Iraq.

Zeqirja Qazimi, the imam of El-Kudus mosque in Gjilan, was among seven terror suspects arraigned on March 2nd.

In late February, a 17-year-old boy from the same eastern town was arrested at Pristina International Airport before he could board a flight to Turkey and join up with ISIL in Syria.

Qazimi is accused of misusing his position as imam by publicly inciting national, racial, religious and ethnic hatred and intolerance, said Liridona Kozmaci of the Special Prosecutor's Office.

Five of the seven defendants were preparing to "go to war to Syria to join a group of Albanians who are fighting on the side of the terrorist organisation Islamic State," the prosecutor's' office said in a statement.

Two others, including the imam, were charged with recruiting fighters or "urging other persons to commit or participate in the commission of terrorist acts," the statement said. The suspects were arrested separately from June to October 2014.

Five defendants, including the imam, have remained in detention since being taken into custody, while one suspect is under house arrest and another is out on bail, AFP reported.

"Around 300 Kosovo citizens have so far fought in the wars in Syria and Iraq," Kosovo Interior Minister Skender Hyseni said on March 4th. At least 30 have been killed, he said. Kosovar authorities have also arrested 150 former fighters, recruiters and inciters.

Kosovo has warned citizens not to join foreign battles. The Kosovo Islamic Community has joined the calls, saying that the conflicts have nothing to do with Islam.

The state is also part of the anti-ISIL coalition, and wants to be part of the global architecture in the fight against violent extremism, Hyseni said.

The country has adopted measures to thwart the foreign jihad phenomenon. In January, parliament approved prison sentences of up to 15 years for those found guilty.

The plan to try the first batch of terror defendants shows that prosecutors are doing their job, said Seb Bytyci of the Balkan Policy Institute in Pristina.

"Meanwhile, Kosovo should also think about the rehabilitation of those who return from Syria," Bytyci told SETimes.

European Parliament Vice President Ulrike Lunacek also voiced support for Kosovo's counter-terrorism effort.

"I was very glad that the Kosovo parliament made a specific law on foreign fighters and that they really want to co-operate with the European Union," Lunacek said. Lunacek said this is one of the reasons why it is important for Kosovo to become a full-fledged member of Europol and Interpol.

Until that happens, Kosovo will continue to co-operate with the United States, Interpol and Europol in facing the global threat, Hyseni said.

Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci also confirmed Kosovo's commitment to preserving regional security.

"Kosovo is and will remain an example in the region in fighting extremism and terrorism," he said, speaking during a meeting with US officials in Washington on March 2nd.

Source: SETimes

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