Denmark’s Minister of Justice has visited a prison in Gjilan, Kosovo, where his country intends to send up to 300 prisoners to ease overcrowding in the Danish prison system.

Speaking together with his counterpart Albulena Haxhiu, Hummelgaard assessed the agreement as a “fruitful cooperation” between the two countries.

“We have come to Kosovo to assist and help Kosovo’s prisons and detention facilities. This is a very big help for Denmark at a time when we have overcrowded prisons, which is a challenge in our country. This visit marks the practical implementation of the project”, stated Peter Hummelgaard, Minister of Justice of Denmark.

The agreement, which was originally signed in 2021, only became a treaty earlier this year when it was approved by the Kosovo parliament.

Pristina will give Copenhagen 300 prison cells for rent. Denmark will be responsible for the modernization work to bring the facility up to Danish standards.

From this agreement, Kosovo earns 15 million euros per year. But the decision to move the prisoners to the Kosovo prison has raised concerns among human rights groups.