The Director General of the Kosovo Police, Gazmend Hoxha, stated that this year there has been a decrease in the number of criminal offenses reported to the institution compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the total number of cases handled by the police has increased by 2.4 percent, including misdemeanors and minor criminal offenses.

In an interview with KosovaPress, Hoxha revealed that there have been 18 murders this year.

“Criminal offenses reported to the Kosovo Police this year have decreased. Approximately 3.54% fewer criminal cases were reported to the police. In total, the number of cases reported to the police – meaning cases that were actually reported, as some may not have been reported at all – has increased by 2.4%. These include criminal offenses, misdemeanors, and other minor offenses, so overall we had about 10% more cases. Regarding murders, there were 17 reported in 2024, while this year there have been 18 cases – one more incident. Serious bodily injuries increased by 7.8%. Thefts decreased by 1.89%, and major thefts decreased by 2.87%. Robberies were 70 in 2024, while this year they are 62, a decrease of 11.43%. Fortunately, domestic violence cases also decreased by about 2.2% this year,” said the Kosovo Police Director General.

Gazmend Hoxha also stated that this year began dealing with the consequences, as he calls them, of the terrorist attack at the Ibar Lepenc canal in Varagë, Zubin Potok.

“We started 2025 by addressing the aftermath of the terrorist attack that occurred at Ibar Lepenc on November 29, 2024. Then, following this incident, among some of the serious cases we had, was the murder of our officer in Kaçanik, Muhamet Lika. During the summer, we had the serious case of a person’s death during a police intervention. Also, towards the end of the year, we had many engagements, and the highlight was the indictment that the Special Prosecution filed against the suspects involved in the terrorist attack, espionage, and other criminal offenses connected to this attack. I believe this was the biggest success of the year regarding serious cases,” he stated.

In addition to operational efforts, Hoxha said that the Kosovo Police conducted numerous operations against usury, drugs, and criminal groups.

He also mentioned the organization of four sets of elections within one year, noting that thousands of police personnel were deployed.

“We also had four sets of elections, where in cooperation with the CEC, the prosecution, and the Judicial Council, it was necessary to deploy thousands of police personnel, vehicles, and time to ensure order and law during these electoral processes in February, then October, November, and finally on December 28, when the last elections were held,” he added.

Regarding the extraordinary elections on Sunday, he stated that there were no serious incidents that could have worsened the security situation.