Bosnian religious preacher Elvedin Pezic is escorted by Kosovo Police

The Islamic preacher from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Elvedin Pezić, was escorted by the Kosovo Police on Thursday for an informational interview, before an activity that was planned to be held in Vitomirica, Peja.

The news was confirmed to Radio Free Europe by Rexho Kojic, from the non-governmental organization "Young Volunteers" from Kosovo, organizer of the event where Pezic was expected to participate on Thursday.

“Tani e kanë transferuar në stacionin policor në Prishtinë. Nuk e dimë se çfarë do të ndodhë më tej, pasi urdhri ka ardhur nga Prishtina. Ai ka hyrë rregullisht në Kosovë, përmes pikëkalimit kufitar në Kullë [pikëkalim kufitar me Malin e Zi], sot rreth mesditës, me dokumente të Bosnjë e Hercegovinës”, tha Kojiq për REL-in.

According to him, Mithad Qeman, also an Islamic preacher, was also accompanied, but he was immediately released.

Kojic said that he was told by the police that he did not need to hire a lawyer and that Pezic would be held for six hours for identity verification.

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He said that the purpose of Peziq's visit to Kosovo was to promote a book and that the Police had asked him if he had permission from the Islamic Community of Kosovo to hold the event.

"He is not a imam in any mosque and did not need such permission. It was about promoting a book," Kojic said.

Pezic had announced that he would lecture in Dobrushë, in Istog, and Mithad Qeman would also participate in this event, who would promote a book.

Radio Evropa e Lirë i është drejtuar Policisë së Kosovës për konfirmimin e rastit dhe për më shumë informacione, por ende nuk ka marrë përgjigje.

Who is Elvedin Pezic?

Elvedin Pezić has been active in the online space for years as an "Islamic religious preacher", often known for his controversial stances, which he also expresses during lectures in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in countries in the region.

He is considered one of the conservative preachers who identify themselves as Salafi.

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The word "salaf" in Arabic means "the first" and refers to the first three generations of Muslims or followers of the Prophet Muhammad, and the followers of the path of these three generations call themselves "salaf."

Pezić is also considered one of the most well-known so-called "da'i" (a person who invites others to join Islam) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On Facebook alone, Peziq has more than 300 followers, while he is also active on other platforms, where he says he provides religious guidance and advice, answers followers' questions, and comments or reacts to various social events and phenomena.

The Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina had previously reacted to a post by Pezić, in which he had said that “Western society has morally collapsed” when women were “taken out of the house” and made “everything but a mother.” The Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina had assessed that these positions were not in line with the teachings of Islam on the rights and obligations of Muslim women.

Pezić's positions have often been criticized by public opinion in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kojiq tha për REL-in se ka “interpretime të ndryshme” lidhur me rastin, por shtoi se, si organizator, është i njohur me veprimtarinë e Peziqit dhe se, sipas tij, ai nuk paraqet “rrezik për sigurinë e Kosovës”.

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"If there had been any indication of something like that, we would not have supported such a rally," Kojic said.

Pezić and Qeman were scheduled to promote the book in Vitomirica, in the municipality of Peja, on Thursday, and then in Dobrushë, in the municipality of Istog. A day later, they were expected to hold a similar event in Reçan, in the Prizren region.