Prishtina, 30 August 2026
The Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, attended the unveiling of a commemorative plaque dedicated to police officer Triumf Riza in the Dardania neighborhood of the capital, on the 19th anniversary of his assassination in a planned attack by criminal groups.
Prime Minister Kurti said that from the day he began his studies at the Police Academy in Vushtrri, on 29 November 1999, until the day he fell in the line of duty, Triumf Riza distinguished himself through his professional skills, dedication and determination.
“Above all, he stood out for one unwavering principle: no one could be untouchable and no one could be above the law. Triumf did not see the uniform merely as a profession. To him, it represented the responsibility to serve citizens, ensure their safety, and protect public order and the rule of law. He was an uncompromising police officer in confronting criminal groups, fully aware that carrying out his duty could put even his own life at risk. Nevertheless, he did not back down. He stood on the side of the rule of law, public order and justice, against those who sought to replace these values with fear, threats, blackmail and violence,” said the Prime Minister.
He added that the mission Triumf Riza left unfinished did not end, but continued through generations of the Kosovo Police, who continue to uphold the oath they have taken, serving in every part of the country, facing risks every day and remaining at the service of citizens.
Highlighting the need for full justice concerning the murder of police officer Riza, the Prime Minister said that the memory of Triumf should serve as a call for strong institutions, impartial justice and full accountability.
Full speech by Acting Prime Minister Kurti:
Honourable Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Xhelal Sveçla,
Honourable Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Enver Dugolli,
Honourable Director General of the Kosovo Police, Mr Gazmend Hoxha,
Esteemed Riza family, Mr Shefqet and Ms Mihrije,
Honourable Kosovo Police commanders, colleagues, friends and associates of Triumf,
Nineteen years ago, right here, in this neighborhood, the Dardania neighborhood of the capital, a planned attack by criminal groups took the life of police officer Triumf Riza. It was an event that deeply shook his family, the Kosovo Police, all of us who knew him, and our society as a whole.
From the day he began his studies at the Police Academy in Vushtrri, on 29 November 1999, until the day he fell in the line of duty, Triumf distinguished himself through his professional skills, dedication and determination. But above all, he stood out for one unwavering principle: no one could be untouchable and no one could be above the law.
Triumf did not see the uniform merely as a profession. To him, it represented the responsibility to serve citizens, ensure their safety, and protect public order and the rule of law. He was an uncompromising police officer in confronting criminal groups, fully aware that carrying out his duty could put even his own life at risk. Nevertheless, he did not back down. He stood on the side of the rule of law, public order and justice, against those who sought to replace these values with fear, threats, blackmail and violence.
Since 30 August 2007, Triumf’s name has become part of the Kosovo Police’s collective memory as a symbol of courage, dedication and sacrifice in the fight against crime. Precisely for this reason, Triumf’s murder was not merely the loss of a young life and a dedicated police officer. It was also an attempt to strike at the authority of an institution whose duty was to fight crime and protect citizens.
But that attempt did not stop the Kosovo Police. The mission that Triumf left unfinished did not end. It continued through generations of the Kosovo Police. It continued through his colleagues, many of whom are here with us today and who, even after 19 years, continue to uphold the oath they have taken, serving in every part of the country, facing risks every day and remaining at the service of citizens.
This is one of the most dignified ways to honour Triumf Riza: by continuing the work he carried out with dedication and by not allowing criminality to dictate the authority of the state and its institutions.
But today, alongside the memory and pain of his loss, we must also speak about the need for full justice for Triumf’s murder. Accountability must extend to every person who played a role in this murder, from the perpetrator to anyone who may have ordered, organized, assisted in or enabled it.
Let the memory of Triumf serve as a call for strong institutions, impartial justice and full accountability.
Today, on the 19th anniversary of the murder of Police Officer Triumf Riza, we bow our heads in respect before his life and sacrifice. His name remains part of the history of the Kosovo Police, while his memory continues to live on among his colleagues, friends and family, but also in every official of our state. Let the dedication and courage with which he served remain an inspiration to the new generations of the Kosovo Police and an enduring reminder of the sacrifice of those who gave the most precious thing they had in the service of the country and its citizens.
May the memory of Triumf Riza be eternal!
Glory to all members of the Kosovo Police who fell in the line of duty!
