Accessibility links

Breaking News

Kosovo Police Arrest 19 Suspected IS Militants Over 'Planned Attacks'


Police said all 19 recently arrested suspects received attack orders from Lavdrim Muhaxheri -- an Islamic State member who has declared himself as the "commander of Albanians in Syria and Iraq."
Police said all 19 recently arrested suspects received attack orders from Lavdrim Muhaxheri -- an Islamic State member who has declared himself as the "commander of Albanians in Syria and Iraq."

By RFE/RL

Police in Kosovo say they have arrested 19 people on suspicion of having links to so-called Islamic State militants and planning to carry out a series of major terrorist attacks -- including an attack in neighboring Albania during a soccer match between Israel and Albania.

Authorities in Pristina said on November 16 that the suspects had been arrested during the past 10 days.

They said four of the arrests thwarted a planned attack in Albania aimed at Israeli soccer players and their fans during a November 12 World Cup European qualifying match.

They said the match was moved from the northern Albanian city of Shkoder to Tirana after the attack plot was discovered.

Police said all 19 recently arrested suspects received attack orders from Lavdrim Muhaxheri -- an Islamic State member who has declared himself as the "commander of Albanians in Syria and Iraq."

With reporting by Reuters

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG