Documents obtained by BIRN Kosovo's website Kallxo.com have revealed that the Serbian government funded the legal defence of corruption defendants in Kosovo courts in at least two cases in 2021. The funding was provided to five Kosovo-licensed lawyers to defend Kosovo Serbs accused of corruption-related charges. The Office for Kosovo within Serbia's government and the Kosovo Bar Association did not comment on the matter. Lawyer Shyqyri Syla confirmed receiving funds from the Serbian government for legal services provided to Jelica Barac, a defendant who has since passed away. Another lawyer, Asdren Hoxha, also received payments but declined to comment. Documents indicated that the funds were managed through what are known as Serbia-run parallel structures in Kosovo. The trial for a group accused of smuggling, which Hoxha is involved in, is ongoing.

In December 2021, a series of raids were conducted in Shterpce/Strpce, Kosovo, where Brezovica, the country's largest mountain resort, is located. These raids were part of an investigation into a corruption scandal involving municipal officials who allegedly accepted bribes to permit illegal construction within the protected zone of Sharr Mountains National Park. The scandal was exposed after a whistleblower approached BIRN, a media organization, leading to over 100 arrests and a trial that began in April. The defendants are accused of accepting bribes for allowing the construction of holiday homes and hotels in the national park. The whistleblower is now under witness protection, and BIRN has withheld an interview with the individual to avoid compromising the ongoing investigation.

The article discusses the plight of Kosovo-born Agron Salihi and other migrants from Kosovo and Albania who have attempted to use Romania as a transit route to Western Europe after Hungary closed its borders in 2016. Salihi, who illegally entered Romania and sought refugee status due to discrimination in Kosovo, was eventually deported back to his home country. The article highlights the significant increase in illegal border crossings into Romania following the construction of the Hungarian border fence, as reported by Frontex. It also touches on the complexities of the situation due to Romania's non-recognition of Kosovo's independence and the political sensitivities involved. The piece further explores the use of fake documents by migrants, the sympathetic stance of Romanian courts towards migrants, and the strategies used by migrants to avoid paying smugglers, including the use of provisional identity documents provided by Serbian authorities. Despite various efforts by authorities to deter illegal migration, the article concludes that some migrants persist in their attempts to reach Western Europe, with some eventually succeeding.

Dangerous content promoting political Islam, religious extremism, and 'holy war' for the establishment of an Islamic state continues to be present on hundreds of Albanian-language web pages. KALLXO.com's research for the Western Balkans Counter-Disinformation Center, led by the Metamorphosis Foundation, found that during 2022, hundreds of materials promoting political Islam were published online and distributed on social networks. Despite security institutions claiming to have shut down many such pages, numerous posts remain accessible. The government has yet to adopt a strategic plan to counter this narrative. The research also highlights the dominance of publications supporting the narrative of Muslim victimization in Kosovo and the world. More than 400 Kosovars joined the terrorist organization ISIS and other groups fighting in Syria. The spread of extremism and terrorism began in the late 20th century, initially with the translation of literature and lectures promoting different Islamic currents, and later using direct lectures by imams.

A photograph published on the Facebook page 'Vrojtuesit e lagjes- Prishtinë' showing a vehicle parked on green space and attributed to the show 'Radar' of RTV Dukagjini was falsely claimed to be owned by them. In response to KALLXO.com, the 'Radar' show clarified that the vehicle, despite bearing their logo, is not under their management but was donated to the 'Cure to Children' organization for transporting children with Leukemia.

Gazmend Hoxha, Director of Operations of the Kosovo Police, confirmed that Dejan Pantic, a detained ex-policeman, is being held at a police station in Jarinje, near the Serbian border, and is receiving necessary medical treatment. Pantic's lawyer, Nebojsa Vlajic, has not received official confirmation of Pantic's location and has reached out to the EULEX mission for answers. Civil society organizations and the Kosovo Ombudsperson have called for the respect of Pantic's human rights. Hoxha denied media reports of Pantic's mistreatment, stating he is provided with a bed, food, water, and medicine. Tensions in northern Kosovo have risen, with barricades erected by local Serbs at crossing points following Pantic's arrest, which Hoxha suggests are politically motivated rather than a reaction to the arrest. Police confirmed the transfer of nine officers from northern stations by KFOR peacekeepers due to health reasons, and Hoxha emphasized that the Kosovo Police operates without restrictions throughout the country.

The article criticizes the failure of the Albanian judicial system in protecting a 35-year-old woman and her baby, highlighting several procedural errors. The victim had reported threats and violence from her husband on July 6, 2022, but the medical examination failed to identify signs of physical violence, and no psychological or gynecological assessments were conducted. The police and prosecutor identified only one victim of threat, overlooking another potential victim, which led to the perpetrator's release from custody. The perpetrator's lies about weapon possession were not properly investigated, and no witnesses were questioned to corroborate the situation. The article also points out the failure to expand the investigation to other enablers and the lack of a psychiatric evaluation for the perpetrator. The article concludes that these are just a few of the many issues in the healthcare, social care, and welfare systems related to this case.

An article on gazetapapirus.com falsely claimed that Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani did not invite any officials from the Albanian Government to the Forum for Women, Peace and Security. KALLXO.com debunked this by confirming that Albania's Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka was invited but could not attend due to other commitments. The forum, supported by EULEX and organized by the Office of the President of Kosovo and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, took place in Pristina on October 22 and 23, featuring 16 panels on various security architecture, representation of women, youth challenges, the role of parliaments, transitional justice, media and civil society, violence against women, climate change, economic empowerment of women, and women in the security and IT sectors.

A false headline was circulated on the website 'news308media.com' and the Facebook page 'Lexo Sot' claiming a reaction from Donika Gërvalla and Serbs to statements made by politician Azem Vllasi. The content, which dates back to May 2021, references an interview with Vllasi about the assassination of activist Jusuf Gërvalla. Despite the headline, there is no information within the article to support any reaction from Gërvalla or the alleged disturbance of Serbs. Donika Gërvalla is the daughter of the activist Jusuf Gërvalla.

Following incidents in northern Kosovo, special police units have been stationed in the area, with armored vehicles observed near the Kosovo Police camp 'Belvedere' south of Mitrovica. Despite the presence of these units, there have been no interventions with armored vehicles in the north as of the evening of July 31. The only armored units that have moved are those of the Border Police. This has been confirmed by all KALLXO.com reporters located at the entrances of the northern municipalities. Gazmend Hoxha, head of operations at the Kosovo Police, stated that the units are on standby at their 'Belvedere' camp and ready to be deployed if necessary, but there have been no attempts or problems requiring their use.

The article discusses the presence of security cameras in Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo, which are not under the control of the Kosovo police as legally required. Instead, these cameras are either non-functional or controlled by municipal authorities or public enterprises. The Kosovo Information and Privacy Agency (AIP) states that only the Kosovo police are legally authorized to install and operate such cameras for public order surveillance. Efforts are being made to bring all public security cameras under police control, as demonstrated in the western Peja/Pec municipality. However, in the north, where ethnic Serbs resist integration with the rest of Kosovo, the situation remains unresolved. Local officials from Zvecan, North Mitrovica, and Zubin Potok have either denied responsibility or expressed uncertainty regarding the control of these cameras.

The article reports on the illegal use of energy for cryptocurrency mining in Kosovo, highlighting a specific incident where a Serbian citizen was stopped by Kosovo police with computers for mining but was not charged. The Mitrovica Prosecution saw no criminal elements in the case. The article also discusses the profitability of mining and the energy costs associated with it. An economist, Milot Mehmeti, shared his experience with legal mining and its profits. KEDS, Kosovo's energy distribution company, has been dealing with energy misuse for cryptomining, and an inspection led to the confiscation of mining machines. In the north, properties are being rented for mining activities, and energy consumption has notably increased, although the current whereabouts of mining operations are unknown.

The article reports on the illegal use of energy for cryptocurrency mining in Kosovo, highlighting a specific incident where a Serbian citizen was stopped by Kosovo police with computers for mining but was not charged. The Mitrovica Prosecution saw no criminal elements in the case. The article also discusses the profitability of mining and the energy costs associated with it. An economist, Milot Mehmeti, shared his experience with legal mining and its profits. KEDS, Kosovo's energy distribution company, has been dealing with energy misuse for cryptomining, and an inspection led to the confiscation of mining machines. In the north, properties are being rented for mining activities, and energy consumption has notably increased, although the current whereabouts of mining operations are unknown.

The article discusses the involvement of around 100 Kosovars with Islamist organizations like Al-Qaeda's Jahbat Al-Nusra and ISIS in the Middle East. Following the defeat of ISIS in 2018, many fighters were captured and awaited repatriation. In April 2019, Kosovo repatriated its fighters from Iraq and Kurdish-controlled areas. Avni Islami, an advisor to the Kosovo Interior Ministry, expressed concerns about the ongoing security risks despite ISIS's collapse. The repatriation has led to an increase in terrorism charges in Kosovo, with 200 individuals facing charges, some of whom also planned attacks in Kosovo and Albania. The Kosovo Special Prosecution Office has been criticized for failing to identify recruiters, financiers, and organizers of terrorist groups. Labinot Leposhtica from BIRN Kosovo highlighted the failure of Kosovo courts to convict individuals involved in recruiting terrorists, emphasizing the presence and threat of these recruiters in Kosovo and Europe.

An eight-month investigation by BIRN has uncovered a smuggling network in northern Kosovo, where local police are complicit in the illegal import of goods from Serbia, despite tariffs. The investigation revealed that contraband goods, including fresh dairy products and cattle, are routinely smuggled into Kosovo, with prices significantly lower in the north due to these activities. Smugglers have established a system of bribes to police officers to ensure safe passage of goods, with payments made indirectly through grocery stores or petrol stations. BIRN's use of hidden cameras and whistleblower testimonies confirmed the involvement of police in the smuggling operations. The profits from smuggling are substantial, and the Kosovo Government has been tolerating police ties with smugglers. Efforts to alert authorities in Prishtina have been unsuccessful, suggesting a broader issue beyond local networks. The Kosovo Police acknowledged awareness of illegal routes but indicated that their closure is the responsibility of KFOR.

The Police Inspectorate of Kosovo is investigating five suspended police officers for abuse of office after a video surfaced showing them engaging in homophobic verbal abuse during an interrogation. The video, which was sent to BIRN and published on Kallxo.com, depicts the officers ridiculing two men being questioned about a dispute involving a knife threat and a claimed agreement for sexual intercourse in exchange for money. The officers are heard making inappropriate comments and failing to properly address the reported crime. The Kosovo Police has not yet responded to BIRN's inquiries about the incident.

Oliver Ivanovic, a Kosovo Serb politician and leader of the 'Civic Initiative SDP – Oliver Ivanovic,' was assassinated in North Mitrovica. He was shot from a moving vehicle while entering his office and later died in the hospital. The incident was confirmed by head prosecutor Shyqeri Syla. Ivanovic had previously reported that his car was set on fire for political reasons. Known as a peacemaker, Ivanovic was controversially facing a retrial for war crimes and allegations of ordering the murder of ethnic Albanians during the 1999 conflict. The story is still unfolding.

Vojislav Seselj, the Serbian radical leader, has been banned from entering Kosovo after being declared persona non grata by the Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ban, signed by acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Petrit Selimi, is in accordance with the law on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. This decision follows Seselj's acquittal by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on charges of war crimes in Croatia and Bosnia. The article includes a statement from Petrit Selimi, explaining the ban is due to the impact of Seselj's words and actions on thousands of Balkan families.