Monitoring data for the period June 15–20 highlighted the prevalence of conspiracy theories and misinformation content, distributed mainly on social networks and websites with dubious credibility.
During the monitoring period, conspiracy theories were published mainly in Serbian-language media, in statements by Serbian institutions, and were distributed through portals and social networks. The main topics focused on the portrayal of Kosovo institutions as engaged in a politically motivated campaign against the Serbian community, on unfounded claims of the reactivation of Albanian armed structures through an office affiliated with the KLA in Preševo, and on narratives that the partial reduction of the KFOR troop presence signals NATO withdrawal and endangers the security of Serbs in Kosovo. These conspiracy theories are built on speculative interpretations and unsubstantiated allegations, aiming to incite uncertainty and reinforce narratives of a threat to the Serbian community and security developments in Kosovo.
Contents classified as clickbait were published mainly on Facebook pages, using sensational or out-of-context headlines to attract public attention. The main topics focused on political developments in Kosovo, especially relations between political parties and the possibilities for post-election coalitions. In one case, it was incorrectly claimed that PDK had changed its position on a coalition with LVV, while in another case Sami Lushtaku’s resignation from PDK was presented as a fait accompli, although it was only a conditional statement. These cases show that catchy and exaggerated headlines are used to increase audience interaction, often creating wrong perceptions about political developments.
During the monitoring period, unverified content, fact-based manipulations and disinformation were mainly spread on social media, especially on TikTok and Facebook, as well as through the recirculation of old articles or partial interpretation of media reports. The main topics focused on allegations of corruption, hidden assets and political connections of public figures in Kosovo. One case involved the manipulation of a Slovenian television report to claim without evidence that Martin Berishaj is a citizen of Serbia, while another case involved the reposting on TikTok of an old and unsubstantiated article on the alleged assets of several Kosovo political leaders. This content exploits topics of high public interest and unconfirmed or out-of-context information to create false perceptions and influence public opinion.
Disinformation has been spread mainly through politically-oriented Telegram channels, where the content is based on current events or inaccurately reinterpreted images from the past. The main topics have included narratives about allegations of mistreatment of Serbian prisoners in Kosovo, where a post by the “Koridor” channel has misinterpreted the meeting between EULEX representatives and Kosovo institutions to suggest, without any evidence, cooperation in human rights violations, even though EULEX’s mandate is focused on monitoring and protecting these rights. Another case relates to the “Српска Спарта – Инфо” channel, which has revived old and unfounded allegations of organ trafficking during the war in Kosovo, using out-of-context photographs to support an unverified narrative. This content is characterized by a lack of verified facts and the use of materials taken out of context to build disinformation narratives.
Conspiracy theory
The Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia (OKS) has claimed that Kosovo institutions have arrested Serbs not because of suspicions of war crimes, but as part of a politically motivated campaign by the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, to exert pressure on the Serb community after the elections. This office in no case provides facts or evidence to support the claim that the arrest of these persons is related to pressure on the Serb community after the June 7 elections. (here)
A Serbian-language article claims that a KLA-affiliated office has been opened in Presevo and that it may serve various activities, including “raising funds for weapons” or “recruiting new members of the UÇPMB.” However, verifications by Hibrid.info show that this office has existed since at least 2019 and was not recently opened, as the title of this article suggests. (here)
Some Serbian media outlets have reported that NATO is reducing its military presence in Kosovo and that this could mean “handing over security to Pristina,” increasing insecurity for the Serbian community in the country. Reports from Serbian media outlets claiming that the reduction of KFOR troops in Kosovo means preparations for a full withdrawal or “handover of security” to official Pristina and threatens the security of the Serbian community are not supported by official facts. NATO has made it clear that the KFOR mission remains present and that any changes are made gradually and in accordance with security assessments on the ground. (here)
Clickbait
Several Facebook pages have published an article with a title suggesting that PDK has changed its stance on a coalition with LVV. After verifying the facts, it was determined that this title does not match the content. In the statement, Besa Kabashi-Ramaj does not speak of a specific coalition with LVV, but only of a general openness to post-election discussions, also emphasizing the differences with this political entity. Also, previous positions of PDK show a lack of readiness for a coalition with LVV, therefore there is no “new position”, as the title suggests. (here)
The claim that Sami Lushtaku has resigned from PDK has been presented as a done deal by a Facebook page. In fact, Lushtaku has stated that he will resign from the position of PDK branch chairman in Skenderaj only if the party reaches a cooperation agreement with LVV. The original RTV21 publication presents this as a warning and not as a done resignation. (here)
Unverified content/Fact manipulation
A video material has been published with the caption “Radio Television of Slovenia: Kurti’s Man Received 1.8 Million Euros from Serbia. Martin Berishaj is a Serbian Citizen.” The Slovenian Radio Television had reported on the investigation into transfers from Gen-I Belgrade to Martin Berishaj’s companies, for which there is no court decision confirming it as an illegal benefit. The reporting of this television also mentions that Berishaj has political connections and closeness to the circle of the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti. However, this reporting does not confirm that Berishaj is a Serbian citizen. (here)
Unverified content/Disinformation
Through a publication, an old article titled “The hidden wealth of four leaders: Kadri Veseli 100 million, Thaçi 80, Limaj 82, and Ramushi 68 million dollars!” has been reposted on TikTok. The publication on TikTok was made by the account named “shqipe._shqipe._23” yesterday (September 25) and has so far received over 60 thousand views and over 1400 likes. After fact-checking by hibrid.info, it turns out that the content of the article by “botasot.info”, reposted on TikTok by the account “shqipe._shqipe._23”, is unfounded. (here)
disinformation
In a post published on the Serbian Telegram channel “Koridor” shared the news about the farewell meeting of the acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, with the head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Giovanni Pietro Barbano. On this meeting, the channel has built an unfounded narrative, claiming that EULEX cooperates with Kosovo institutions in the “torture” and “ill-treatment” of Serbian prisoners. However, there is no verified fact to support such a claim. On the contrary, EULEX’s mandate includes monitoring the correctional system and protecting human rights, including the rights of persons deprived of liberty. (here)
The Telegram channel “Srpska Sparta – Info” falsely claimed that two photographs depict an improvised clinic in Burrel where organ harvesting and trafficking were carried out in 1999 by people associated with Hashim Thaçi, with the involvement of European politicians and the sale of organs on international markets. After verifying the facts, it was confirmed that these claims are unfounded, as the “yellow house” has never been proven as a place of organ trafficking, while the photographs were taken in Kosovo during the war and depict KLA medical personnel treating the wounded. (here)