Ibishi: Kosovo meets all EU regulations for accepting prisoners from Denmark

Security expert from Pristina, Nuredin Ibishi, believes that Kosovo meets all the conditions of the European Union for accepting prisoners from Denmark and views the agreement itself as a recognition.

"Kosovo will certainly benefit from this. This was preceded by a lengthy process of requests from Danish authorities to transfer prisoners here to serve their sentences. It is also a form of recognition for Kosovo because it has the capacity, both in terms of staff and accommodations in Gnjilane, which are built according to European Union standards," says Ibishi.

However, he notes that there are problems, particularly concerning prisoners sentenced to longer terms or life imprisonment.

"It will be somewhat problematic how to deal with these prisoners. There is probably a limited period for their stay here which will need to be extended, especially if they are convicted of terrorist acts and sentenced to life," says this security expert.

He also points out language barriers as another issue.

"These are mostly foreign prisoners. They are not only Danish, and they are not from those language areas, but mostly immigrants," says Ibishi.

He dismisses criticisms that the conditions in Kosovo's prisons are not adequate and states that Kosovo meets all the conditions of the European Union in this regard.

"This is the European Union’s prison regulation, and until recently it was under the supervision of the European Union. I believe we have the capacities, both in terms of staff and accommodations, as well as regarding prosecution and judiciary, so I think we meet all the conditions that are made according to the regulations of the European Union for prisons in Europe," Ibishi notes.