The Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo has proposed that the accused, Igor Popović, be sentenced to a fine of 3,000 euros and deportation from Kosovo for two years, following the plea agreement reached between the two parties.

According to the indictment, on July 18, 2025, around midday, Popović delivered a public speech in Rahovec containing statements which, according to the Prosecution, incited interethnic hatred and division. During his speech, he made remarks considered as incitement against ethnic groups.

The accused, Popović, and his defense agreed to this measure.

The case prosecutor, Fikrie Zejnullahu, said that according to the agreement, it is proposed to the court to impose the same punishment stated in the agreement for the criminal offense he is accused of — six months of imprisonment, to be replaced by a fine of 3,000 euros.

She also proposed that the court, at the same time, impose the additional punishment of deportation from the territory of Kosovo for a period of two years, as agreed by the parties.

“The indictment is accompanied by the plea agreement. This agreement has been concluded in full compliance with the criminal provisions for these essential reasons. First, the accused, Igor Popović, has been sufficiently consulted by his defense counsel from the start of the criminal proceedings, and this plea is fully consistent with all the evidence supporting the indictment. The agreement meets all the criteria to be accepted by the court. From the agreement, it results that we propose the court impose the same sentence according to the agreement — for the criminal offense he is accused of, to be sentenced to six months of imprisonment, which is to be replaced by a fine of 3,000 euros. At the same time, to impose the additional punishment of deportation from the state of Kosovo for two years, as we have agreed,” said Zejnullahu.

Popović’s lawyer, Millosh Delliviq, stated that they stand behind the agreement reached with the Special Prosecution.

“As the defense, we stand behind the agreement reached with the Prosecution; the conditions from Article 230, point 17 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the court’s acceptance of the agreement have been met,” he said.

Judge Kujtim Krasniqi announced that the verdict will be delivered today at 14:00.

The Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo has filed an indictment against Igor Popović, deputy director in the so-called Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, who was arrested last month by the Kosovo Police.

The arrest followed a speech he delivered in Hoça e Madhe, Rahovec, where he spoke against the Kosovo Liberation Army.

According to the indictment, on July 18, 2025, around midday, Popović delivered a public speech in Rahovec containing content which, according to the Prosecution, incited interethnic hatred and division. During his speech, he made statements considered as incitement against ethnic groups.

The Prosecution considers that through these statements, Popović negatively influenced relations between communities, fostering distrust and interethnic tensions, and endangering coexistence in Kosovo’s society.

The accused has pleaded guilty to the criminal offense he is charged with.