In June 2023, lawyer Hamdi Jashari was arrested on suspicion of accepting €8,000 from a client in exchange for promising to influence judges to reject an extradition request. In December 2023, the Basic Prosecution in Pristina charged him with the criminal offense of "trading in influence". Jashari pleaded not guilty during the initial hearing in January 2024, and the case is currently ongoing.

On June 8th 2023, following preliminary investigations in coordination with the Basic Prosecutor's Office in Pristina, the Kosovo Police’s Directorate for the Investigation of Economic Crimes and Corruption arrested lawyer Hamdi Jashari in Gjilan. He was suspected of requesting and accepting €8,000 from a client involved in a case at the Basic Court in that town. According to the police, Jashari promised the client that he would deliver the money to the judges handling his case to influence them into issuing a favourable decision regarding an extradition request. Hamdi Jashari was suspected of committing the criminal offense of "trading in influence."

After his arrest and interrogation, Jashari was initially placed in detention for 30 days. On July 7th 2023, the Basic Court in Pristina extended his detention for another two months, followed by an additional two-month extension on September 7th 2023. On October 5th 2023, the Supreme Court of Kosovo ordered Jashari’s release and allowed him to defend himself while free.

On December 1st 2023, the Basic Prosecutor's Office in Pristina filed an indictment against Hamdi Jashari. According to the indictment, between May 25th and June 2nd 2022, lawyer Hamdi Jashari, in his capacity as the defense attorney of Avni Ajruli—a convicted and wanted individual—requested and accepted €8,000 from Ajruli’s brother. The indictment states that Jashari promised to deliver this money to the panel of judges presiding over Ajruli’s case in order to unlawfully influence their decision regarding an extradition request from the Basic Prosecution of Gjilan. The extradition request sought Ajruli’s transfer to North Macedonia, where he had been convicted of murder under the Criminal Code of the Republic of North Macedonia. Jashari’s objective, according to the prosecution, was to influence the panel of judges to reject the extradition request. The judicial panel that Jashari sought to influence included judges Naser Maliqi, Aziz Shaqiri, and Veli Kryeziu.

As a result of these actions, Jashari was charged with the criminal offense of "trading in influence” under Article 424 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.

According to statements provided by Jashari to the Prosecutor's Office, the €8,000 he received was intended to cover unpaid financial obligations from previous court cases involving Avni Ajruli. Additionally, the defendant described his relationship with judge Veli Kryeziu—one of the judges he allegedly sought to influence—as 'extremely hostile'.

On January 23rd 2024, the initial hearing was held before the Basic Court of Pristina. During the session, Jashari pleaded not guilty to the charges. Exercising his right, Jashari filed a request to dismiss the indictment, arguing that it was unfounded. However, the court rejected the request, upholding the indictment.

During the proceedings, Prosecutor Bashkim Zeqaj stated that Jashari’s actions had undermined the fundamental values of the justice system. He emphasized that the lawyer had requested money on behalf of judges, thus eroding public trust in the judicial system.

Conversely, Jashari’s defense attorney argued that the evidence presented did not prove the commission of a criminal offense. Jashari maintained that he had a written agreement with Ilmi Ajruli to provide legal services for his imprisoned brother, Avni Ajruli. According to Jashari, the agreed fee for these services was €8,000—€4,000 for the criminal procedure and €4,000 to settle previous debts the Ajruli family owed him. Jashari stated that this agreement was completely disregarded by the case prosecutor.

Judge Veli Kryeziu, one of the judges Jashari allegedly sought to influence, also testified as both a witness and a victim in the case. He stated that he had received three audio recordings in which lawyer Hamdi Jashari was heard requesting money from Ilmi Ajruli to influence judges in Gjilan. Kryeziu explained that he was first informed about the situation by a friend, who told him that lawyers were taking money in his name. After listening to the recordings, Kryeziu reported the matter to the Acting Chief State Prosecutor and handed the recordings over to the Police.

As of now, the trial is still ongoing. The actions of Hamdi Jashari have significantly harmed the integrity of Kosovo's judicial system. By allegedly attempting to influence the decisions of judges, Jashari’s conduct undermines public trust in the legal process and fosters a perception of corruption within the very institution meant to uphold justice. Such actions threaten the fairness of court proceedings and erode public confidence in the justice system. It is paramount that citizens demand transparency, accountability, and integrity within the judiciary to ensure justice is upheld.