The Kosovo Police today organized a ceremony in the village of Prelez, Ferizaj, to destroy more than 760 illegal small and light weapons. The melted material from the weapons will be recycled into manhole covers.
General Director of the Kosovo Police, Gazmend Hoxha, said the destruction of weapons aims to provide greater safety for citizens, noting that illegal firearms have often been used in criminal cases. He called on citizens of Kosovo to avoid the use of weapons.
According to Hoxha, since 1999 more than 36,000 illegal weapons have been confiscated, and from 2005 until now, around 16,000 firearms have been destroyed.
“This is a continuous process carried out by the Kosovo Police and the Ministry of Interior, with ongoing support from UNDP and Kosovo’s partner countries, aimed at creating greater safety for our citizens and our country. Over the years, we’ve witnessed many criminal acts committed with illegal weapons, resulting in the loss of lives. We call on all our citizens to stay away from illegal weapons,” Hoxha emphasized.
UNDP Resident Representative in Kosovo, Nuno Queiros, said that the destruction of weapons promotes a peaceful, just, and inclusive society. He stressed that illegal small arms and light weapons cause insecurity, harm civilians, undermine institutions, and are often used in gender-based and domestic violence.
“Our goal is to significantly reduce the flow of illegal arms in the future. Even during our time here, two armed acts of violence occurred, highlighting the risks these weapons pose. The police, the Ministry of Interior, and other authorities have shown extraordinary commitment in combating illegal trafficking, possession, and misuse of firearms. You can be assured that UNDP and my team will continue to support you, and we are proud to be your trusted partner in these efforts,” Queiros stated.
The initiative is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Kosovo Safety and Security Programme (KSSP), with financial contributions from Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Norway. It is also backed by the EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/3006 of December 2, 2024, in support of disarmament and arms control activities by SEESAC in Southeast Europe, aiming to reduce the threat of illegal small arms, light weapons (SALW), and their ammunition.
