The Basic Prosecution Office in Mitrovica has requested the imposition of pre-trial detention for 19 people suspected of organizing illegal gambling and online games of chance, in a structured network that is suspected of operating in several municipalities, announced State Prosecutor Muharrem Prekazi in the request for pre-trial detention provided by "Oath for Justice".
According to the request, from an unspecified date until 18.04.2026 at 20:30, in various premises, the defendants, in complicity and continuously, with the aim of illegally obtaining material benefit for themselves or other persons, have organized and enabled the development of illegal gambling activity - online games of chance, which are played via the internet using computers, phones or tablets, and which are prohibited under Law No. 06/L-155.
The document emphasizes that "grounded suspicion must be based on articulable evidence," and according to the prosecution, such evidence and direct facts have proven the existence of grounded suspicion that the defendants committed the criminal offenses they are suspected of.
Evidence included in the case includes police surveillance reports, intercepted communications, audio-video recordings, witness statements, and findings during the April 18 searches, including betting platforms on electronic devices and large sums of money.
According to the request, there is a "real, concrete and ongoing risk" that the defendants, if released, will continue or repeat the illegal activity, as well as obstruct the criminal proceedings by affecting material and personal evidence.
Among them, Arbër Berani, Nexhat Maloku, Arsim Islami, Besim Islami, Behxhet Syla, Fahredin Mujka and others are mentioned as organizers or key figures, while the rest are suspected of having had operational roles such as opening accounts, receiving money and managing the activity.
The bars involved in the scheme are suspected to be "Offside Sport Bar", "Te Feti", "Coffe Bar Fisi", "Elita Bar", "N'Peron Pub", "Caffe Time/Game One", "New York City", "Te Zogu" and "Market Berisha".
During the police operation, around 156.000–170.000 euros in cash were seized at one location, as well as electronic equipment, vehicles and weapons, while several suspects are still at large.
According to the request of the State Prosecutor's Office, there is a well-founded suspicion that in the "Offside 02" bar, on "Besim Nuka" street, the defendant Arbër Berani acted as the organizer of the illegal online betting activity, while the defendants Dardan Sahiti and Flamur Sahiti acted as his employees, carrying out operational actions of opening, filling and refilling betting accounts for various persons. According to the Prosecutor's Office, these actions were carried out in co-perpetration and continuously, with the aim of unlawfully obtaining property, and were documented through the control of electronic devices and the statements of the defendants themselves, who claimed that they acted on the orders of Arbër Berani, reports "Oath for Justice".
At the request of the Prosecution, through special investigative measures, video recordings were also obtained where Arbër Berani is seen inside the “Offside 02” bar, in direct contact with the other defendants, which according to the prosecution directly links him to the organization and supervision of the illegal activity. Also, online betting platforms were found on the defendants' phones, which were used to carry out the aforementioned actions, including opening and replenishing accounts.
According to the Prosecution, the defendant Flamur Sahiti was also found during the search, as well as other witnesses and customers who admitted to having used the betting services at this establishment. Data and access to online betting platforms were found on Flamur Sahiti's phone, while 3,987.60 euros in cash were seized from him, which according to the Prosecution constitute additional evidence of involvement in illegal activity.
According to the Prosecutor's Office's request, in the premises "N'peron Caffe" and "Elita Bar", the defendants Behxhet Syla and Fahredin Mujka are suspected of having acted as organizers, while Xhevat Syla and Shaban Ahmeti as their employees, carrying out concrete actions of managing online betting accounts. The Prosecutor's Office emphasizes that the seized equipment and wiretaps result in active use of the platforms and a clear division of roles between them.
According to the Prosecution, in the premises "Te Fisi" and "Te Daja", the defendant Arsim Islami acted as the organizer, while Fisnik Debërlluka, Nexhmedin Haziri and Besim Islami acted as his employees, carrying out operational actions of opening and managing betting accounts. These actions were confirmed through wiretapping and control of phones, where active online betting platforms were found.
According to the Prosecution's request, the defendant Nexhat Maloku had a central role in organizing and administering the financial assets, as during the search at his residence, around 165,000 euros in cash were found, as well as documents and notes linking him to other associates. Also, according to the Prosecution, there is evidence that the defendants Raif Sylaj and Bujar Muli delivered the money to him, positioning him as the center of the financial circulation of the activity.
According to the Prosecution, in "Coffee Time" and "Game One", defendants Mensur Selmani and Albert Ferati acted in co-perpetration as organizers of online betting activity, managing platforms and clients, while the activity was carried out in a continuous and structured manner.
According to the Prosecution, Blerim Berisha and Andi Maxhuni carried out operational actions of opening, filling and refilling betting accounts for other persons, proven through wiretapping and seizing electronic devices.
In the case of Driton Uka and Arbër Miftari, according to the Prosecution, there is complicity in the management of online betting accounts, while witnesses have confirmed the deposit of money and the use of platforms at the "New York" bar.
According to the Prosecution, Atdhe Rexhepi managed and administered online betting platforms at the "Te Zogu" bar, actions documented through the seized phone and witness statements.
In general, according to the Prosecution, there is a well-founded suspicion that the defendants acted in complicity, with a clear division of roles, within an organized network of illegal gambling that developed in several premises and municipalities, through online platforms, electronic devices and significant cash circulation. The Prosecution assesses that the evidence administered – including wiretaps, video recordings, seizures and witness statements – supports this suspicion and justifies the request for pre-trial detention.
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