Kosovo Police have arrested Kosovo citizen Fehim Sali at the Merdare border crossing, on suspicion of involvement in the criminal offense of "Espionage".
The arrest was carried out during a joint operation by the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), Kosovo Police and the Special Prosecution.
According to authorities, Sali is suspected of having collaborated with the Serbian Security and Intelligence Agency (BIA) for a long period of time. He is also suspected of having maintained contact with an official of this agency, identified as Želimir Matović.
The suspect worked as a teacher at the Serbian school "9 Maji" in Rapça, Dragash, and previously, according to the Police, was part of the Consultative Council for Communities at the Office of the President of Kosovo.
Investigators suspect Sali was also involved in mediating cases involving Serbian property and documents. Authorities are also investigating allegations that he garnered votes in support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
After the arrest in Merdare, investigators from the Directorate for the Investigation of Organized Crime and Serious Crimes searched the suspect's apartment in Dragash.
During the operation, 39,500 euros, 500 dinars, four mobile phones and various documents were seized, which are suspected to serve as evidence in the ongoing investigations.
By decision of the Special Prosecution, Fehim Sali has been detained for 48 hours. Within the legal deadline, the Prosecution is expected to address the Basic Court in Pristina with a request for the imposition of a detention order.
