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Kosovo 2019 Crime & Safety Report

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Kosovo 2019 Crime & Safety Report Kosovo 2019 Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Kosovo at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased cautions due to terrorism. Reconsider travel to North Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zubin Potok, and Zvecan due to civil unrest. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Embassy in Pristina does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens’ Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. Review OSAC’s Kosovo-specific page for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Crime Threats There is moderate risk from crime in Pristina. The lack of economic opportunity influences crime rates in Kosovo. Crimes of opportunity are the most prevalent. Street crimes (e.g. theft, purse snatchings) are somewhat common, especially in Pristina. There were 282 cases of robbery reported in the country in 2018. The targets included houses, casinos, micro-finance organizations, shops, markets, banks, and betting clubs. During this period, two civilians and one Kosovo Police officer died during an exchange of gunfire with robbers. Two additional robbers died during separate robbery attempts. According to Kosovo Police (KP) publications, from January through October 2018, the number of petty thefts was 5,735, while the number of grievous thefts was 5,222. Criminals sometimes target the expatriate community, assuming that members of the community are affluent. Burglars occasionally target expatriate homes, businesses, and vehicles. In 2018, there was an attempted break-in at an official U.S. residence. Criminals often commit crimes with firearms, as weapons are easy to obtain in Kosovo. While violent crimes do occur, the number of reported violent crimes against U.S. citizens is very small. In 2018, KP found explosives in the village of Mazgit, near the Gazimstan locality, a region along Pristina-Mitrovica motorway. Robberies often occur during late night and early morning hours. Some of these reports have included the use of a weapon in an attempt to gain small amounts of cash. Criminals appear to have chosen targets because the victim was walking alone, in the dark, and/or under the influence of alcohol. For more information, review OSAC’s Report Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad. 1 ATM fraud is present in Kosovo. Police have found skimmers on ATM keypads in the country. Avoid freestanding ATMs and check for irregularities before use. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, The Overseas Traveler’s Guide to ATM Skimmers & Fraud. Transportation-Safety Situation For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights. Road Safety and Road Conditions Roads within larger metropolitan areas are typically in good condition, while those outside the cities range from good to terrible. Be particularly careful at night, as lighting along roadways is limited. Roads often lack proper reflective markings and safety measures (e.g. lane markers, guardrails) common on U.S. roads. Kosovo is working to expand its infrastructure; international contractors are currently constructing a modern highway. Driving is far more difficult in Kosovo than in the U.S. for many reasons: unfamiliar traffic patterns, unobserved traffic laws, stray livestock, horse-drawn carts, infrastructure problems, and ongoing road construction projects. Practice defensive driving. If involved in a collision, local police require that drivers not move vehicles until authorities arrive. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices. Ice and snow can cause delays and dangerous conditions on roadways. Authorities take measures to clear the main roads of snow, but large volumes of snow can delay clearance. Limit driving to daylight hours to avoid visibility issues. The law requires that drivers carry tire chains while driving on many of the mountain roads during winter, and maintain winter or all-season tires with more than 4 millimeters tread from November 15 to March 15 in most regions. Public Transportation Conditions Taxis are an inexpensive, safe, and reliable means of transportation. Use established taxi companies instead of personally owned vehicles converted to a taxi. Make sure the taxi has a meter and that the driver activates it upon departure. Many meters are located in the rear view mirror and not as a separate electronic device in the car. If there is a question about the status of the meter, ask the driver. Rail transportation is very limited and unreliable; safety equipment is often lacking or outdated. Local buses are often overcrowded, and bus lines may be difficult to understand. Long-range, inter-city buses are usually in good condition and are an acceptable way to travel between cities or countries. Aviation/Airport Conditions Pristina’s Adem Jashari International Airport (PRN) has undergone a major infrastructure upgrade, including a new terminal facility and a new air traffic control tower. The runway is short, which can cause visibility issues when combined with fog. Flights can experience significant delays/cancellations due to weather conditions, especially in the winter months. 2 Other Travel Conditions Pristina has many pedestrians, and the city is walkable. Use caution as many sidewalks are in a state of disrepair, and drivers often do not respect the pedestrian right of way. Terrorism Threat Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns There is considerable risk from terrorism in Pristina, where the international/transnational terrorism threat is similar to that faced by most European nations. Since independence, Kosovo has experienced a rise in Islamic extremism and as well as marked progress in the fight against terrorism. Since 2014, police have arrested over 125 individuals on suspicion of participating in fighting in Syria and Iraq. During 2018, there were no reported acts of terrorism in Kosovo. In 2017, Lavdrim Muhaxheri, a Kosovar and the leader of the Albanians within ISIS, died in a drone strike in Syria. ISIS members and other violent jihadists have called for revenge against the U.S. for killing their leader. In 2018, KP reportedly arrested five persons suspected of terrorism in an operation conducted in collaboration with German authorities. Authorities arrested another person of Kosovo origin simultaneously in Germany, based on Kosovo international arrest warrant, extraditing the person back to Kosovo. In 2018, trials and investigations continued for 29 terror suspects. A number of Kosovar citizens have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight for terrorist organizations. Kosovo lacks strong customs controls and has porous borders. The return of foreign fighters to Kosovo remains concerning. Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment Kosovars generally receive U.S. citizens well, particularly in Kosovo-Albanian communities, but there is a small anti-U.S./anti-Western population. Some ethnic Kosovo-Serbs remain suspicious of the U.S. due to the NATO bombing of Serbia during the war. Returning foreign fighters from Iraq and Syria have perpetuated anti-U.S. sentiment in Kosovo. Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence Civil Unrest There is considerable risk from civil unrest in Pristina. Political tensions can run high among the government and its constituents. Political parties have tried to sway votes in Parliament by using violent methods such as deploying tear gas during assembly sessions. Civilian protests outside the Parliament building typically accompany these sessions. Protests occur in Pristina regularly, often in the downtown area near government and international organization buildings. Anywhere from 25 to upward of 1,000 people usually attend. The frequency of protests increases during times of political tension. In other areas of Kosovo, protests are more likely in ethnically divided areas or areas of ethnic tension. 3 Several demonstrations held in 2017 protested the government’s demarcation agreement with Montenegro and the Association of Serbian Municipalities in Kosovo. Vetëvendosje, an ethnic Albanian nationalist political movement, and other opposition parties frequently organize protests against the government and international (including U.S.) organizations in Kosovo. These protests have sometimes involved physical intimidation and violence. Kosovo has experienced minor civil unrest in the form of political demonstrations due to high unemployment, corruption, and dissatisfaction with government actions. In 2017, the Kosovo Parliament started a petition to abrogate the Special Court law, which has oversight over war crimes committed during and after the war in 1999. This sparked public backlash and international condemnation. During 2018, there were no major incidents that negatively affected public peace and order. The imposition of a 100% tax by the Kosovo government on Serbian products and the transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces resulted in some protests by ethnic-Serbs in the north of Kosovo that were peaceful in nature. Religious/Ethnic Violence Tensions remain high between ethnic-Albanians
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