The OAG files an indictment against the alleged leader and a suspected member of the Swiss chapter of a terrorist organisation in Kosovo
Bern, 07.07.2025 — The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) filed an indictment against a Kosovar national suspected of having acted as leader (Emir) of the Swiss chapter of a Kosovar terrorist organisation, and of also having been a member of its executive committee in Kosovo. The suspect is accused of having carried out, primarily in the Geneva region, activities related to indoctrination, financing, and the recruitment of new members on behalf of the aforementioned terrorist organisation. These activities are believed to have been carried out with the support of a second suspect. Both suspects are also believed to have disseminated the ideology of the terrorist organisation ‘Islamic state’, including during their regular meetings, as well as independently in the case of the second suspect. Through these acts, the two individuals are suspected of having simultaneously promoted the organisation’s ideology and supported the terrorist group ‘Islamic state’.
The Kosovar national, aged 36, and the second suspect, a dual Swiss and North Macedonian national, aged 33, were arrested on 1 September 2022 as part of criminal proceedings initiated against them by the OAG since July 2021 (see Press release of 1 September 2022 of the OAG). The suspects are currently in pre-sentence detention that counts towards their sentence.
Terrorist organisation in Kosovo and its Swiss chapter
The terrorist organisation at the centre of these proceedings was founded following the closure, between 2014 and 2015, of the ‘Këshilla’ association by the Kosovar authorities. This Kosovar terrorist organisation aims not only to recruit as many followers as possible to join its cause and its Salafi-jihadist ideology – the same ideology practised and promoted by the terrorist group ‘Islamic state’ – but also, to exploit the destabilisation of Kosovo to take up arms and seize control over a defined region, establishing an Islamic regime, under Sharia law, on behalf of the terrorist organisation ‘Islamic state’.
From 2014 to 2015, various Albanian-speaking men, including the two suspects, began to coalesce around a Salafi-jihadist ideology. As of June 2015, the first suspect was elected Emir of this group, which later became the Swiss chapter of the Kosovar terrorist organisation.
From the outset, the said chapter launched recruitment and propaganda activities in the Geneva region, aiming to call upon as many followers as possible to join the Salafi-jihadist cause and ideology of the Kosovar terrorist organisation, which is the same ideology as that promoted by the ‘Islamic state’ terrorist group. As of 2016, the Geneva chapter has primarily focussed on financing the terrorist organisation, with funds estimated to total between EUR 64,770.00 and EUR 77,870.00, at the very least.
Shared charges
In addition to their indoctrination and recruitment activities, the Kosovar national collected money from members of the Geneva chapter, including his co-defendant, and arranged for the funds to be sent to Kosovo with the purpose of financing the various activities of the terrorist organisation. In the same context, they financed the corruption of foreign public officials responsible for criminal proceedings against members of the terrorist organisation, to facilitate the escape of one of the members from such legal actions.
The two suspects are therefore accused of participating in a terrorist organisation (Art. 260ter para. 1 let. a ch. 2 Swiss Criminal Code [SCC]) and of simultaneously supporting the ‘Islamic state’ terrorist organisation (Art. 260ter para. 1 let. a ch. 2 in relation to para. 1 let. b SCC). They are also accused of participating in the bribery of foreign public officials (Art. 322septies SCC) and of obstructing criminal proceedings (Art. 305 para 1bis in relation to Art. 101 para 1. let. d SCC). The OAG also accuses them of committing money laundering (Art. 305bis SCC), forgery of a document (Art. 251 ch. 1 SCC) and fraud for commercial gain (Art. 146 para. 2 SCC).
Kosovar national, aged 36
The elder of the two men is suspected not only of having been a member of the terrorist organisation in question, but also of exercising a decisive influence (Art. 260ter para. 1 let. a ch. 2 and para. 3 SCC). In fact, he is believed to have served on the executive committee of the Kosovar organisation and of being Emir of the Swiss chapter, and subsequently of acting as co-leader of a regional branch in Kosovo. In these capacities, he is thought to have been primarily responsible for leading the Swiss chapter, ensuring coordination between the executive leadership of the terrorist organisation in Kosovo and the Swiss chapter, as well as for co-managing the regional branch. He is believed to have regularly organised meetings of the Swiss chapter’s members in Switzerland, both at his own residence and at the homes of other members, as well as in Kosovo. Within the Swiss chapter of the terrorist organisation, he is also suspected of having established a system of minimum monthly contributions and repeated fundraising efforts with the aim of providing financial support for the terrorist organisation’s activities.
Additionally, he is also accused of having unlawfully obtained family allowances for his children, despite the fact that they had left Swiss territory with their mother to settle permanently in Kosovo.
Dual Swiss and North Macedonian national, aged 33
The accused is suspected of having also been a member of the Swiss chapter of the terrorist organisation. He is believed to have participated in the gatherings organised and made his home available for such events. In addition, he is suspected of having organised and contributed to the organisation of visits by foreign preachers who were specifically selected and known for their adherence to the ‘Islamic state’ terrorist organisation’s principles and ideology. Acting under the direction and instructions of the Emir of the Kosovar organisation and of his co-defendant, he is said to have paid a minimum monthly contribution of CHF 50.00, in addition to participating in ad hoc and/or regular fundraising efforts, a portion of the proceeds of which he is believed to have transferred to the Kosovar organisation. The OAG also accuses the defendant of having individually engaged in propaganda activities in favour of the ‘Islamic state’ and ‘Jabhat al-Nusra’ organisations by disseminating nasheeds in their favour.
Additionally, the defendant is accused of having unlawfully obtained social welfare benefits (Art. 148a para. 1 SCC) and of having attempted to unlawfully obtain unemployment insurance benefits (Art. 105 LACI cum Art. 22 SCC). Moreover, he is charged with various other common law offences (Art. 146 para. 2 cum Art. 22 SCC, Art. 135 para. 1bis a SCC and Art. 96 para. 2 LCR).
The case now falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Criminal Court for further media communication. As is customary, the OAG will announce its sentencing requests during the hearings. Finally, it is reiterated here that the presumption of innocence applies until a final judgment is rendered.
Original text of the press release in French.