Tag: Kosovo

The event was attended by many institutional, international, and civil society representatives, including law enforcement agencies, with keynote speeches from the UK Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, the Chief Prosecutor of the Special Prosecution Office, Blerim Isufaj, and Lieutenant Blerim Rama from the Kosovo Police.

In her opening speech, BIRN Kosovo Director Jeta Xharra highlighted the historical experience of migration in Kosovo and explained how the documentary exposes the functioning and influence of smuggling networks that use Kosovo as a transit or destination country. While Chief Prosecutor Isufaj stressed that irregular migration requires coordinated institutional and international action, noting intensified investigations and cooperation with the United Kingdom, including the 2025 case of Laboratori,  in which suspects were sanctioned by UK authorities.

UK Ambassador in Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, emphasized the UK’s focus on tackling illegal migration and criminal groups exploiting migrants, underlining strong cooperation with Kosovo institutions to combat organized crime.  In addition, according to Kosovo Police representative, Blerim Rama, main irregular entry points include Han i Elezit and Vërmica, while exits toward Serbia often occur through Jarinje. He noted effective cooperation with Albania and North Macedonia, but a lack of cooperation from Serbia.

After the speeches were concluded, the documentary was premiered for the participants. The BIRN event was livestreamed on YouTube . Through this documentary, the project partners aim to raise awareness of migrant smuggling networks and to promote coordinated action by relevant institutions to address irregular migration. 44 participants gathered at the launch event, of whom 10 were women.

This activity was funded by the British Embassy in Kosovo, implemented by BIRN Kosovo and Internews Kosova (I/KS).

On the fourth and final day, on February 6, the training programme was attended by 20 participants from the Special Prosecution Office, the Investigation Department of the Tax Administration of Kosovo, the Investigation Department of the Kosovo Police, the Police Inspectorate, and investigators from Kosovo Customs.

During the training, Kreshnik Gashi, Managing Editor of Kallxo.com, Alan Edwards, a JTI mentor from the British Embassy, and Labinot Leposhtica shared their professional perspectives and firsthand experiences on public appearances and public speaking. More specifically, the morning session focused on sharing the extensive experience of expert Edwards in local and international cases. He presented in detail the steps to be followed by joint investigation teams, from UK cases to his work in Kosovo with EULEX.

In the afternoon session, Kreshnik Gashi discussed institutional coordination in communication and its planning in the field of communication, to then continue with a very important part of the training that dealt with public appearances according to the standards of preserving the privacy of the parties, in relation to the European Union’s online communications regulation.

The training aimed at sharing experiences from the experts of the Joint Investigation Teams and the steps to be followed, but also to specify the EU rules on online communication. A total of 17 participants took part in the training, five of whom were women.

This activity is funded by the British Embassy in Kosovo, implemented by BIRN Kosovo and Intenews Kosova.

On February 6, 2026, BIRN Kosovo organised the third day of the training programme, attended by 20 participants from the Special Prosecution Office, the Investigation Department of the Tax Administration of Kosovo, the Investigation Department of the Kosovo Police, the Police Inspectorate, and investigators from Kosovo Customs. This event is being carried out in the Prishtina region.

During the training, Kreshnik Gashi, Managing Editor of Kallxo.com, Faik Ispahiu, Executive Director of Internews Kosova, and Valdet Salihu, Producer, shared their professional perspectives and firsthand experiences on public appearances and public speaking.

More specifically, Kreshnik Gashi discussed safe public appearances and court proceedings, and in detail, how to organize them. After Kreshnik’s presentation, facilitated by Faik Ispahiu and Valdet Spahiu, participants had the opportunity to discuss and practice public appearances in press conferences and judicial proceedings. For this purpose, the participants were divided into five groups, each with a specific case. For some time, the team had to come up with concrete steps on how to address the case to the public, which included coordination among multiple agencies involved, including the prosecution. All group conferences were recorded, and the video was shown minutes later to evaluate what worked and what did not during the group press conference.

The aim of the third day of training was to make public appearances easier to understand for the participants and also gain more insights on what a press conference looks like and what it should transmit.

The third day of the training was not only informative but also highly interactive among participants. A total of 20 participants attended the session, of whom five were women.

This activity is funded by the British Embassy in Kosovo, implemented by BIRN Kosovo and Intenews Kosova.

On February 5, 2024, BIRN Kosovo and Internews Kosova organized the second day of the specialized training, attended by 22 participants from the Special Prosecution Office, the Investigation Department of the Kosovo Tax Administration, the Investigation Department of the Kosovo Police, and investigators from Kosovo Customs.

This training aims to strengthen the capacity for public and strategic communication among law enforcement officials. During the training, participants were introduced to techniques for presenting public messages prior to specific operations being carried out. The session was delivered by Faik Ispahiu, Executive Director of Internews Kosova, and was followed by a practical exercise in which participants conducted statement-reading simulations using cameras and teleprompters. These exercises were conducted in various formats and conditions, including static presentations, in-action (on-the-go) presentations, and scenarios simulating both high and low-pressure audience environments.

The afternoon session continued with practical exercises focused on pre-arranged interviews and television appearances, particularly simulated televised interviews. This part of the training was facilitated by Kreshnik Gashi, Managing Editor of Kallxo.com, and Valdet Salihu, Producer. Divided into working groups, participants actively engaged throughout the training sessions, sharing their perspectives and experiences depending on their institutional roles and the types of public statements required in response to specific events and developments.

A total of 22 participants attended the training, six of whom were women.

This activity is funded by the British Embassy in Kosovo and implemented by BIRN Kosovo and Internews Kosova (I/KS).

On February 4, 2026, BIRN Kosovo organised the first day of the training programme, attended by 21 participants from the Special Prosecution Office, the Investigation Department of the Tax Administration of Kosovo, the Investigation Department of the Kosovo Police, and investigators from Kosovo Customs. This event is being carried out in the Pristina region.

During the training, Kreshnik Gashi, Managing Editor of Kallxo.com; Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo; and Faik Ispahiu, Executive Director of Internews Kosova, shared their professional perspectives and firsthand experiences on public communication and strategic planning, particularly in the lead-up to and during operational activities.

More specifically, Kreshnik Gashi presented approaches to developing strategic messaging before operations began, with particular emphasis on inter-institutional coordination. Participants were divided into five groups and engaged in practical exercises focused on planning and coordination. In addition, participants discussed public communication in situations involving ongoing operations and completed practical group exercises simulating operational scenarios. Furthermore, the sessions included a segment on crisis communication strategies, where participants learned to tailor messages for diverse audiences. Lastly, feedback from participants was gathered to refine the training process and ensure its relevance to future operations.

The first day of the training was not only informative but also highly interactive among participants. A total of 21 participants attended the session, of whom seven were women.

This activity is funded by the British Embassy in Kosovo, implemented by BIRN Kosovo and Intenews Kosova.

The one-day training focused on presenting and discussing the current state strategy for preventing and countering terrorism, as well as on strengthening local capacities to address security challenges related to violent extremism. The session was delivered by Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Officer and Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo and a member of the Working Group for the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism, together with Milot Sfishta from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

During the training, Labinot Leposhtica emphasized the crucial role of local communities in preventing and countering extremism and terrorism, particularly through public engagement, early identification of risks, and grassroots initiatives. Milot Sfishta highlighted the important role of local authorities in implementing the objectives of the National Strategy and informed participants about recent developments and institutional efforts at the central level to address different forms of extremism.

Participants also shared their experiences related to previous cases of foreign terrorist fighters from Prizren who travelled to Syria and Iraq. According to participants, online recruitment was identified as one of the main contributing factors. Furthermore, discussions highlighted the growing impact of technological developments, including the use of artificial intelligence and online gaming environments, as emerging risk factors influencing youth vulnerability to radicalization. They also stressed the importance of early prevention measures, particularly within schools, and underlined the need for the involvement of school psychologists in identifying early signs of behavioral change. One proposal raised during the training was the potential development of a centralized reporting software that would enable schools across Kosovo to report concerning behavioral changes and monitor risks related to radicalization in a timely manner.

The training was attended by 11 participants from municipal staff and municipal assembly members of Prizren, including four women.

The training was part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), through Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC), and implemented by BIRN Kosovo.

During the training, four lectures were delivered by experienced experts in the field: Jeta Xharra, Executive Director of BIRN Kosovo; Drita Hajdari, former war crimes prosecutor; Ibrahim Makolli, human rights and dealing with the past expert; and Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo. The speakers shared their professional perspectives and first-hand experiences in war crimes documentation and investigations, as well as the ethical challenges of reporting on sensitive and complex issues.

A strong focus of the training was placed on the documentation and prosecution of war crimes, a topic that generated extensive discussion among participants representing various institutions and professions within the justice system. The sessions covered topics such as the documentation of war crimes in international media; the collection of evidence from institutional and non-governmental sources; the transition of war crimes investigations from international to domestic mechanisms, with particular attention to strengthening prosecutorial capacities; and the impact of hate speech and disinformation on establishing truth and accountability for war crimes.

Participants came from a wide range of institutions and professional backgrounds, including legal officers from Basic Prosecution Offices and Courts, lawyers and legal practitioners, representatives of the Kosovo Correctional Service, staff from the Kosovo Institute of Forensic Medicine, and police officers from the Kosovo Police unit responsible for investigating war crimes.

All training sessions were designed to be highly interactive, allowing participants to actively engage through questions and the exchange of perspectives on the issues discussed. Participants highlighted the need to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation to improve outcomes that benefit society as a whole, particularly by clarifying the fate of missing persons. Special emphasis was placed on understanding reconciliation not as forgiveness, but as the recognition of victims’ suffering and the acknowledgment of their rights and dignity.

The training brought together 58 participants, 30 of whom were women, representing various public-sector institutions.

The “Reconcile” project is funded by the European Union. The content and views expressed are the sole responsibility of BIRN Kosovo and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Workshop Overview and Participant Breakdown

Date: 26 January 2026

Location: Pristina, Kosovo

Number of participants per country: Kosovo 58

Total number of participants: 58

The full findings and activities are available in the EDS Report, which can be accessed here.

During the training, a series of lectures was delivered by experienced trainers in transitional justice. The sessions covered topics such as the documentation of war crimes in international media; the collection of evidence on war crimes from institutional and non-governmental sources; the transition of war crimes investigations from international to domestic mechanisms, with a focus on building prosecutorial capacity; and the impact of hate speech and disinformation on establishing the truth about war crimes.

The sessions were delivered by experienced practitioners, including Jeta Xharra, Executive Director of BIRN Kosovo; former war crimes prosecutor Drita Hajdari; human rights and dealing with the past expert Ibrahim Makolli; and Labinot Leposhtica, Head of the Legal Office at BIRN Kosovo. All trainers shared their professional perspectives and experiences in war crimes documentation and investigations, as well as the ethical challenges involved in reporting on sensitive and complex issues.

Participants in the training came from institutions directly involved in transitional justice and dealing with the past in Kosovo, including the Institute for War Crimes in Kosovo (IKKL), the Transitional Justice Division of the Kosovo Ministry of Justice, the Government Commission on Missing Persons, as well as law students from the University of Gjilan and the University of Mitrovica.

All participants were highly engaged throughout the training, particularly during discussions on documenting war crimes through media reporting and the historical overview of judicial proceedings related to war crimes in Kosovo. Participants emphasized that impartiality is essential when documenting war crimes and that achieving this requires a deep understanding of the past in order to build peace in the present.

The training session brought together 63 participants, of whom 42 were women, representing various institutions and academic backgrounds.

The “Reconcile” project is funded by the European Union. The content and views expressed are the sole responsibility of BIRN Kosovo and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Workshop Overview and Participant Breakdown

Date: 19 January 2026

Location: Pristina, Kosovo

Number of participants per country: 63

Total number of participants: 63

The full findings and activities are available in the EDS Report, which can be accessed here.

This project represents an additional effort to increase discussion on transitional justice and dealing with the past in Kosovo and across the Western Balkans more broadly. The project aims to strengthen reconciliation and non-recurrence by empowering diverse communities in the Western Balkans, with a focus on training media professionals, public institutions, and students, by providing them with specialized knowledge on topics such as war crimes, judicial processes, reporting ethics, the role of the media in documenting the truth, as well as the impact of hate speech and disinformation in distorting the truth.

About the training

The training aims to provide participants with theoretical knowledge and practical skills on:

• War crimes and international legal standards
• Transitional justice mechanisms and accountability
• Ethical principles and challenges in reporting on sensitive issues
• The role of the media and civil society in shaping public opinion
• Professional standards and fact-based reporting

Who can apply?

The call is open for:

• Professionals of the justice system (judges, prosecutors, legal officers, police officers, forensic doctors, lawyers).

BIRN Kosovo encourages interested individuals from non-majority ethnic communities, without distinction, to apply and participate in the student training session, in line with the principles of equality and inclusiveness.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Interest or experience in the topics of war crimes, transitional justice, or media reporting
• Motivation to apply the acquired knowledge in their professional or academic work

When and where will the respective training sessions be held?

The training session for professionals of the justice system (judges, prosecutors, legal officers, police officers, forensic doctors, lawyers) will be held on 26 January 2026 at the Reporting House Museum, Prishtina.

Applicants may apply through the Google application form.

Selection of participants:

Selection will be based on:

• The relevance of the applicant’s professional or academic profile to the respective training
• Motivation to participate
• Experience or interest in the thematic areas

During the selection process, gender equality and inclusiveness will be taken into account, in line with EU principles.

How to apply?

Interested individuals are invited to complete the online application form at this link, depending on the group to which they belong.

Language of the training: The training sessions in the field of transitional justice will be conducted in Albanian; interpretation will be provided for participants.

Application deadline: 22.01.2026

Only selected participants will be contacted.