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			{{Short description\|Kosovar Albanian jihadist}}
	{{Orphan\|date=October 2015}}
	{{~~Original~~ ~~research~~\|date=~~January~~ ~~2016~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2023}}
			{{Infobox military person
	{{Synthesis\|date=January 2016}}
			\| name = Lavdrim Muhaxheri
	'''Lavdrim Muhaxheri''' (pronounced {{IPA-en\|muː haˌdzːˈe ri\|}}) (born 12 March 1989), also known by the '']'' '''Abu Abdullah al Kosova''',<ref name=Kerry/> ] Islamic State (IS) leader for approximately 100–150 ethnic Albanian '']'' foreign fighters who fought in Iraq and Syria. He was a former ] and ] employee. He appeared in two propaganda videos, one from the Iraqi War<ref name=muhaxheri>{{cite web\|title=EKSKLUZIVE! - Lavdim Muhaxheri flet rreth gjendjes ne Siri\|trans_title=\|language=\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4yd1k_mlYA\|website=YouTube.com\|publisher=Islam Peace\|accessdate=13 September 2015\|date=7 November 2013}}</ref> and one video alongside late ] (KLA) member Naman Demolli.<ref name=demolli>{{cite web\|title=Nje fjalim i skurter nga Shehidi Naman Demolli para se te binte Shehid\|trans_title=\|language=\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWoIY8bHgf8\|website=YouTube.com\|publisher=Te Shiqojm Se Bashku\|accessdate=13 September 2015\|date=31 July 2015}}</ref> On 24 September 2014, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) listed Muhaxheri as the fourth-most-wanted terrorist in the world.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232067.htm \|publisher=U.S Department of State \|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters \|date=24 September 2014 \|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, on 2 October 2014, a statement from U.S. Secretary of State ] about Muhaxheri being blacklisted in the U.S. was published in the Federal Register.<ref name=Kerry>{{cite web\|first=John F.\|last=Kerry\|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/10/02/2014-23534/in-the-matter-of-the-designation-of-lavdrim-muhaxheri-also-known-as-ebu-abdullah-el-albani-also \|title=In the Matter of the Designation of Lavdrim Muhaxheri, also known as Ebu Abdullah el Albani, also known as Abu Abdullah al Kosova, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovi, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovo as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as Amended \|website=FederalRegister.gov \|date=2 October 2014 \|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref>
			\| image = Lavdrim Muhaxheri.jpeg
			\| image_size =
			\| alt =
			\| caption = Image from Interpol wanted profile
			\| other_name = Abu Abdullah al Kosova; Abu Abdallah al-Kosovi
			\| birth_date = 1989
			\| birth_place = ], ] {{small\|(now ])}}
			\| death_date = {{death date and age \|2017\|6\|8\|1989\|df=yes}}
			\| death_place = ]
			\| allegiance = ] (2010–12) <br> ] (late 2012) <br>] (2013–2017)
			\| branch =
			\| serviceyears =
			\| rank =
			\| servicenumber = <!-- Do not use data from primary sources such as service records -->
			\| unit = ethnic Albanian ]
			\| commands =
			\| battles_label = Military conflicts
			\| battles = ] <br>]
			\| awards =
			\| relations =
			}}

			'''Lavdrim Muhaxheri''' ({{IPAc-en\|ˌ\|m\|uː\|h\|ə\|ˈ\|d\|ʒ\|ɛr\|i}}; 1989 or ca. 1987 – 8 June 2017), also known by the '']'' '''Abu Abdullah al Kosova''', was a Kosovar Albanian Islamic State (IS) leader and recruiter of ethnic Albanian '']'' foreign fighters fighting in Syria and in Iraq. A former ] and ] employee, he became an extremist and left for Syria in late 2012. He appeared in several propaganda videos, calling Albanians to join jihad, and uploaded photographs of himself appearing to decapitate a man, as well as a video where he kills a captive with a rocket. On 24 September 2014, the ] designated Muhaxheri as a global terrorist.
	==Early life==
	Lavdrim Muhaxheri, a Kosovo Albanian Muslim, was born on 12 March 1989<ref name=Interpol/> in the town of ],<ref name=AlJazeera>{{cite web\|last1=Plesch\|first1=Valerie\|title=Kosovo tries to stem flow of ISIL recruits\|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/23/kosovo-tries-to-stemflowofisilrecruits.html\|website=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=23 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=B92>{{cite web\|title=K. Albanian who committed gruesome crimes 'is dead'\|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world.php?yyyy=2014&mm=08&dd=19&nav_id=91333 \|publisher='']'' (Serbian television station) \|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=19 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=telegraph>{{cite web\|last1=Freeman\|first1=Colin\|title=Inside Kacanik, Kosovo's jihadist capital\|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/kosovo/11818659/Inside-Kacanik-Kosovos-jihadist-capital.html\|work=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=23 August 2015}}</ref> located on the border between ] and ]. He was raised Muslim, living with his father and brothers in the absence of his mother. Muhaxheri grew up during the ] (1989–99) during which he and his family were affected by the persecution of ethnic Albanians conducted by the Serbian ]'s regime in Kosovo. He graduated from the Skanderbeg School. His education earned him a position as an English translator in the the American ] (KFOR) camp, "]"<ref name=bondsteel>{{cite web\|title= Presentation of Camp Bondsteel\|work=army-technology.com\|url=http://www.army-technology.com/projects/campbondsteel/}}</ref>{{not in citation}} in the city of ] in southeastern Kosovo.<ref name=B92/> He worked at Camp Bondsteel until 2010, when he was promoted to a ] (NATO) training camp in ].<ref name=B92/><ref name=KosovaPress>{{cite web\|url=http://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.kosovapress.com/sq/nacionale/ekskluzive-biografia-e-lavdrim-muhaxherit-9749/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlavdrim%2Bmuhaxheri%2BFerizaj%26start%3D10%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1608%26bih%3D805 \|trans_title=Exclusive: Biography Lavdrim Muhaxheri \|title=Ekskluzive: Biografia e Lavdrim Muhaxherit \|language=\|website=KosovaPress.com \|date=28 January 2014 \|accessdate=13 September 2015}} (translated into English with Google translate)</ref>

			On 8 June 2017, without providing further details, Muhaxheri's death was announced by his family and police in ]. He was allegedly killed in a U.S. airstrike.
	== From NATO to Islamic State (IS) ==

			==Early life==
	Muhaxheri served with NATO at a training camp in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2012, then returned to Kosovo and joined a newly founded group within the ] (ICK) organization called Islamic Youth-].<ref name=KosovaPress/> In late 2012, he joined the ] (''Jabhat al-Nusra''). Several of Muhaxheri's relatives and former friends characterized him as not being noticeably distinguishable by his religious beliefs, nor radicalized, prior to his return from Afghanistan.<ref name=KosovaPress/>
			Lavdrim Muhaxheri, a Kosovo Albanian Muslim, was born on 12 March 1989 (according to Interpol{{sfn\|Interpol}}) or 3 December 1989 or ca. 1987 (according to UN<ref>{{cite journal\|title=SCA/2/15 (31)\|date=29 September 2015\|publisher=United Nations\|url=https://www.nav.gov.hu/data/cms384740/Al_Kaida_listavaltozas_0929_31.pdf\|page=2}}</ref>) in ],<ref name=telegraph/><ref name=B92>{{cite web\|title=K. Albanian who committed gruesome crimes 'is dead'\|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world.php?yyyy=2014&mm=08&dd=19&nav_id=91333 \|publisher=] (Serbian television station) \|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=19 August 2014}}</ref> ]. Muhaxheri grew up during the ] (1998–99). He worked at ] (KFOR) camp "]"<ref name=B92/> in ] until 2010, when he was promoted to a ] training camp in ].<ref name=KosovaPress>{{cite web\|url=http://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.kosovapress.com/sq/nacionale/ekskluzive-biografia-e-lavdrim-muhaxherit-9749/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlavdrim%2Bmuhaxheri%2BFerizaj%26start%3D10%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1608%26bih%3D805 \|trans-title=Exclusive: Biography Lavdrim Muhaxheri \|title=Ekskluzive: Biografia e Lavdrim Muhaxherit \|language=\|website=KosovaPress.com \|date=28 January 2014 \|access-date=13 September 2015}} (translated into English with Google translate)</ref>

			Muhaxheri served with NATO at a training camp in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2012, then returned to Kosovo. In late 2012, he became associated with extremist Islamist associations, first with a local organization, "Parimi", which then established the Islamic Youth-Kaçanik organization, in which he was appointed ''emir'' (military leader).{{sfn\|Gazeta Express\|2014}} The organization was formed within the ] (ICK).<ref name=KosovaPress/> His friends told media that he had not been radical prior to joining the Islamist associations.<ref name=KosovaPress/> Muhaxheri claimed in Facebook posts at the time that he controlled the appointment of the imam at the Kaçanik Mosque, the center of a conflict between radicals and traditional locals.{{sfn\|Schwartz\|2014}} He also threatened to kill people who criticized Kosovo Albanians going to Syria to fight.{{sfn\|Schwartz\|2014}}
	In March 2014 it became publicly known<ref name=KosovaPress/> that Muhaxheri had joined the ] (IS) when he was assumed, or possibly confused{{weasel word}} to
	appear in the IS-released propaganda film ''Clanging of the Swords IV'' in parallel with the emergence of an older video with Lavdrim Muhaxheri.<ref name=muhaxheri/> In the IS propaganda film, Muhaxheri is seen in public tearing and burning his Kosovo passport while proclaiming that there are no manmade borders between Muslims in the world.<ref name=AlJazeera/><ref name=B92/><ref>{{cite web\|title=Balkan fighters abroad: Holy warriors\|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2014/08/balkan-fighters-abroad\|work=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=21 August 2014}}</ref>

			== Militant activity ==
	Muhaxheri's declaration of joining IS<ref name=muhaxheri/> shed a new light on the ongoing revolution against the ] regime in Syria; that the revolutionary forces, or militias, were far from as cohesive and synchronized in the battles against the ] and other revolutionary groups in Syria as was commonly believed in the West.<ref name=plesch>{{cite web\|last=Plesch\|first1=Valerie\|title=Kosovo tries to stem flow of ISIL recruits\|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/23/kosovo-tries-to-stemflowofisilrecruits.html\|date=23 September 2014}}</ref> In the IS propaganda film, Muhaxheri and his followers, a group of 100–150 Albanians from ], ] and ] swore allegiance to IS commander ] for battling not only Assad's forces but also pro-Democracy groups,<ref name=B92/> revolutionary groups such as ]<ref name=plesch/> and groups opposing the ]/] Muslims in Syria. Muhaxheri's faction was described as one that sees Syria as a country to be ruled by the ] law by adherence to ], and in coalition with groups close to ].<ref name=B92/>
			Arriving in Syria in late 2012, he joined the ] as a ] and became a leader of a unit of ethnic Albanian mujahideen, connected to the ].<ref name=KosovaPress/> He returned to Kosovo in 2013, and was present at the 2013 Ramadan festival, as part of the ], in Kačanik, as evidenced by photographs.{{sfn\|Gazeta Express\|2014}} He then returned to Syria the same year, becoming a mujahideen leader of the ] (ISIL, or IS), directly reporting to IS caliph ], leading a platoon of ethnic Albanian fighters.{{sfn\|Gazeta Express\|2014}} Muhaxheri was a link between the IS and ethnic Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} Some 500 ethnic Albanians from the Western Balkans fight for the IS, out of whom 232 are from Kosovo (May 2015).{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} Muhaxheri was described as an "intelligent and an experienced military strategist".{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}}

			In October 2013, Muhaxheri appeared in a video calling Albanians to join their fight.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015a}} In the IS propaganda film ''Clanging of the Swords IV'', he is seen alongside other Albanians from Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, brandishing a sword and then destroying their passports.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015a}}<ref name="economist"/> The film, posted on 17 May 2014, is an "extremely violent hour-long film", whose "production style is reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters".<ref>{{cite web\|title=ISIS jihadists put out Hollywood-style propaganda film\|date=13 June 2014 \|url=http://observers.france24.com/en/20140613-hollywood-fim-jihadist-propaganda-isis}}</ref>
	In reaction to the news that Muhaxheri had joined Islamic State (IS), Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs, ], called Muhaxheri and those like him "the country's shame".<ref>{{cite web\|title=Rexhepi: Lavdrim Muhaxheri and his likes are country’s shame\|url=http://www.kosovapress.com/en/nacional/rexhepi-lavdrim-muhaxheri-and-his-likes-are-countrys-shame-22139/\|website=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=25 July 2014}}</ref> The publication of the footage in numerous media outlets, stirred havoc amongst citizens in Kosovo who condemned Muhaxheri's acts. Muhaxheri was repeatedly referred to as a "monster" in the Kosovo media outlets.<ref name=monster1/>

			On 29 July 2014,<ref>{{cite web\|title=FOTOT TRONDITESE/ Lavdrim Muhaxheri pret koka njerëzish në Siri\|url=http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2014/07/29/fotot-tronditese-lavdrim-muhaxheri-pret-koka-njerezish-ne-siri/\|publisher=Gazeta Tema\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=29 July 2014}}</ref> Muhaxheri uploaded photos to a Facebook page where he is seen beheading an unidentified young man in Syria.<ref name=B92/><ref name=economist>{{cite news\|title=Balkan fighters abroad: Holy warriors\|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2014/08/balkan-fighters-abroad\|newspaper=]\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=21 August 2014}}</ref> In an interview with the Albanian daily "Dita", posted on 2 August 2014, Muhaxheri said that the man was a 19-year-old spy, and that he had acted according to the Quran. On 15 August 2014, Interpol received an international warrant request from Kosovo authorities.<ref>{{cite news\|title=International arrest warrant for Lavdrim Muhaxheri \|work=Gazeta Express\|date=15 August 2014\|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/news/international-arrest-warrant-for-lavdrim-muhaxheri-36271/?archive=1}}</ref>
	== Activities with ISIS ==
	On 29 July 2014,<ref name=Tema>{{cite web\|title=Shocking IMAGES / Lavdrim Muhaxheri expects human heads in Syria \|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazetatema.net%2Fweb%2F2014%2F07%2F29%2Ffotot-tronditese-lavdrim-muhaxheri-pret-koka-njerezish-ne-siri%2F&edit-text=\|website=GazetaTema.net\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=29 July 2014}} (translated into English with Google translate)</ref> Muhaxheri uploaded photos to a Facebook page where he is seen beheading an unidentified young man in Syria.<ref name=economist>{{cite web\|title=Balkan fighters abroad: Holy warriors\|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2014/08/balkan-fighters-abroad\|work=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=21 August 2014}}</ref>

			On 18 August 2014, Iraqi Kurdish media channel ] reported that Muhaxheri had been killed and published photos allegedly showing his dead body.<ref name="telegrafi">{{cite web\|language=\|trans-title=\|title=Lavdrim Muhaxheri nuk ka vdekur, thotë bashkëluftëtari i tij Fitim Lladrovci\|url=http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/lavdrim-muhaxheri-nuk-ka-vdekur-thote-bashkeluftetari-i-tij-fitim-lladrovci-2-49487.html\|work=Telegrafi.com\|date=19 August 2014\|access-date=18 October 2015\|archive-date=8 December 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208093317/http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/lavdrim-muhaxheri-nuk-ka-vdekur-thote-bashkeluftetari-i-tij-fitim-lladrovci-2-49487.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Muhaxheri's friend denied the claims of his death,{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015a}} while Muhaxheri's Facebook page was deleted, leading to speculations whether Muhaxheri was alive.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} In late August, Kosovo authorities arrested forty citizens suspected of engaging in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, including several imams within the Islamic Community of Kosova, in an effort to suppress ] and ].<ref name=Osservatorio>{{cite web\|last1=Kelmendi\|first1=Violeta Hyseni\|title=Kosovo mobilizes to fight religious radicalism and terrorism\|url=http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Regions-and-countries/Kosovo/Kosovo-mobilizes-to-fight-religious-radicalism-and-terrorism-155153\|website=]\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=25 August 2014}}</ref> Muhaxheri's actions prompted a new law prohibiting the teaching of Wahhabism in Kosovo.<ref name="Osservatorio"/> On 24 September 2014, the ] designated Muhaxheri a global terrorist.{{Cref2\|a}}
	In an interview with the Albanian daily "Dita", posted on 2 August 2014, Muhaxheri said that he had acted according to the Quran, and had did only what the KLA did during the Kosovo War. The young man was described as a 19-year-old ] boy, belonging to the Iraqi army loyal to ], who had been caught spying and trespassing on the territory (presumably referring to the territory held by Muhaxheri's group). Muhaxheri justified his act of beheading by the following two arguments; that spying is to be punished by death according to the ], and that his act was not anything out of the ordinary compared to what the ] (KLA) had done during the Kosovo War.<ref name=2014-08-KLA>{{cite web\|title=Kosovo Albanian who behaeded a man says he is doing the same thing KLA did\|url=http://inserbia.info/today/2014/08/kosovo-albanian-who-behaeded-a-man-says-he-is-doing-the-same-thing-kla-did/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|language=\|title=Article with interview in Gazeta Dita on 2 August 2014\|url=http://illyriapress.com/lavdrim-muhaxheri-nuk-pendohet-per-ekzekutimin-e-djaloshit-irakian/\|date=2 August 2014}}</ref> Muhaxheri's claim about the KLA's history was disputed by Kosovo's Minister of Justice, Xhavit Jashari.<ref>{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=Muhaxheri Lavdrim veterans react: KLA there beheaded \|title=Veteranët i reagojnë Lavdrim Muhaxherit: UÇK s'ka prerë koka\|url=http://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tetovasot.com%2Fveteranet-i-reagojne-lavdrim-muhaxherit-uck-ska-prere-koka%2F\|website=TetovaSot.com\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=2 August 2014}} (translated into English with Google Translate)</ref>

			In another video published by activist group ] (RSS) on 21 May 2015, Lavdrim Muhaxheri is seen firing a ] (RPG) at a captive in Syria.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} It is unclear if it is a new or old video; a RSS activist believed it to be new, while an Albanian researcher questioned that it was a new video that proved he was still alive, while another analyst said it was at least newer than August 2014.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} In the video, Muhaxheri interrogates the captive, who says that he had killed two IS fighters with a RPG; Muhaxheri condemns the captive to death by RPG as well.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}}
	On 6 September 2014 it became publicly known that a Kosova prosecutor had been granted an international warrant at the Court of Ferizaj for Muhaxheri's arrest, entailing an international warrant for Muhaxheri at ], for his affiliation with terrorist organisations.<ref name=Interpol>{{cite web\|title=Muhaxheri, Lavdrim: Wanted by the judicial authorities of Under Unmik Mandate (Kosovo) for prosecution\|url=http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-43350\|website=Interpol.int\|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref>. The prosecution had obtained text message conversations claimed to be sent and received between the period 12 August 2015 to 5 Oktober 2013 by Lavdrim Muhaxheri and other individuals who have traveled to Syria by crossing the border illegaly between the ] in ] and Syria. Muhaxheri was believed to have traveled to Syria at two(2) occasions between 2012-2013. The first time was between period 2012 to May 2013, wherefrom he returned to Kosova wounded. The second time was sometime after May 2013 and Muhaxheri left Syria to Kosova on 4 October 2013, based on a text message.
	According to the prosecution Muhaxheri had not engaged in fighting in Syria with the other indicted individuals.<ref name=wounded>{{cite news\|title= As he returned wounded Lavdrim Muhaxheri in Kosovo in 2013\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.syri.net/2016/01/15/si-u-kthye-i-plagosur-lavdrim-muhaxheri-ne-kosove-ne-vitin-2013/&prev=search\|work=www.syri.net\|date=15 January 2016}}</ref><ref name=monster1>{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=Interpol declared wanted Monster Muhaxheri \|title=Interpol shpall në kërkim monstrën Muhaxheri\|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazetatema.net%2Fweb%2F2014%2F08%2F15%2Finterpol-shpall-ne-kerkim-monstren-muhaxheri%2F\|website=GazetaTema.net\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=15 August 2015}} (translated into English with Google Translate)</ref>

			Muhaxheri was last reported to be in Syria in 2015.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/kosovo/11818659/Inside-Kacanik-Kosovos-jihadist-capital.html\|title=Inside Kacanik, Kosovo's jihadist capital\|first=Colin\|last=Freeman\|newspaper=]\|date=August 23, 2015\|access-date=January 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal\|title=Financial Sanctions Notice\|date=October 9, 2015\|publisher=HM Treasury\|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/467095/AQ_Notice_2015_1815.pdf\|quote=MUHAXHERI, Lavdrim (Group ID: 13296)}}</ref> On 29 August 2015, an IS propaganda video promoting the new currency was published,<ref>{{cite web\|title=Why Islamic State's gold coins won't replace the global banking system\|date=3 September 2015\|work=The Economist explains\|publisher=Economist\|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2015/09/economist-explains-1}}</ref> in which Muhaxheri is seen handling golden coins (]).<ref>{{cite web\|title=Imazhi i ISIS-it, Lavdrim Muhaxheri \|date=1 September 2015\|publisher=Koha\|url=http://koha.net/?id=27&l=73167}}</ref> Several ethnic Albanian jihadists living in Italy, with connections to Muhaxheri, were arrested by Italian police in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web\|author=Albertini, Matteo\|date=2015-12-06\|publisher=Balkan Analysis\|title=Italy and Kosovo Intensify Actions against another ISIS-linked Group\|url=http://www.balkanalysis.com/kosovo/2015/12/06/italy-and-kosovo-intensify-actions-against-another-isis-linked-group/\|access-date=9 March 2016\|archive-date=5 March 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305233023/http://www.balkanalysis.com/kosovo/2015/12/06/italy-and-kosovo-intensify-actions-against-another-isis-linked-group/\|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 29 December 2015 it was reported that he was in Iraq, according to photographs posted on Twitter.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Iraq: New photos of Lavdrim Muhaxheri come into sight\|publisher=RTK\|date=29 December 2015\|url=http://www.rtklive.com/en/?id=2&r=3885}}</ref>
	In August 2014, Kurdish media channel ] reported that Muhaxheri had been killed in clashes with ] in Iraq and published photos allegedly showing his dead body.<ref>{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=Kosovalbaner: It killed Lavdrim Muhaxheri? \|title=Kosovalbaner: Është vrarë Lavdrim Muhaxheri?\|url=http://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegrafi.com%2Flajme%2Fkosovalbaner-eshte-vrare-lavdrim-muhaxheri-2-49468.html\|website=].com\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=18 August 2014}} (translated into English with Google Translate)</ref><ref name="telegrafi">{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=\|title=Lavdrim Muhaxheri nuk ka vdekur, thotë bashkëluftëtari i tij Fitim Lladrovci\|url=http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/lavdrim-muhaxheri-nuk-ka-vdekur-thote-bashkeluftetari-i-tij-fitim-lladrovci-2-49487.html\|work=Telegrafi.com \|date=19 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=basri/> These claims were later denounced by '']'' based on an image posted by one of Muhaxheri's friends on Facebook, claimed to indicate that Muhaxheri was alive, thus it couldn't be verified when or of whom the image was.<ref>{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=Muhaxheri Lavdrim not dead, says his comrade Earn Lladrovci \|title=Lavdrim Muhaxheri nuk ka vdekur, thotë bashkëluftëtari i tij Fitim Lladrovci\|url=http://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indeksonline.net%2F%3FFaqeID%3D2%26LajmID%3D111837\|website=IndeksOnline.net\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=19 August 2014}} (translated into English with Google Translate)</ref><ref name="tema2">{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=\|title=Article about further speculation of Muhaxheri's death\|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazetatema.net%2Fweb%2F2014%2F12%2F08%2Fserish-spekulime-se-lavdrim-muhaxheri-eshte-vrare-por-miqte-e-tij-e-mohojne%2F\|work=GazetaTema.net\|date=9 December 2014}}</ref>

			Between 4 and 16 November 2016, eighteen Kosovo Albanians and one Macedonian Albanian were arrested suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Kosovo and Albania. They were coordinated by Muhaxheri and fellow IS fighter ]. According to the prosecution, the terrorist group planned attacks on international and state institutions, ultimately with the intent to establish an Islamic state. They planned to attack the Israeli football team during a match in Albania.{{fact\|date=February 2023}}
	In September 2014, the United States labeled Muhaxheri as a "ringleader" for Islamic State (IS).<ref name=DTAU>{{cite web\|last1=Benson\|first1=Simon\|title=Islamic State terrorist army ringleaders: The US names the dogs of war\|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/islamic-state-terrorist-army-ringleaders-the-us-names-the-dogs-of-war/story-fni0cx12-1227074518192\|website=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=30 September 2014}}</ref> "The designation of 10 individuals as terrorists — including two fighters involved in groups elsewhere in the world — under a special executive order, mirrors the deck of cards wanted list for Saddam Hussein's henchmen issued by the US during the War in Iraq."<ref name=DTAU/> Also in September 2014, the U.S. State Department and Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions, freezing assets and blocking financial transactions for "Islamist fighters" including Muhaxheri.<ref>{{cite web\|title=U.S. imposes financial sanctions on Islamist fighters\|url=http://news724.com/u-s-imposes-financial-sanctions-on-islamist-fighters/\|website=News724.com\|agency=Reuters\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=27 September 2014}}</ref>

			== Death ==
	In another video that has become public and that is often associated with Lavdrim Muhaxheri, an individual allegedly fires a ] at a captive in Syria. The video was first published by ] on 21 May 2015 <ref>{{cite web\|title='Daily Mail's article about IS' RPG - video \|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3090886/ISIS-execute-man-BAZOOKA-shocking-new-video.html\|date=21 May 2015}}</ref> who obtained it by sharing from the Syrian activist group ], who in turn stated that they had obtained the video from a third party in ].<ref name=Raqqa>{{cite web\|last1=Mohammed\|first1=Abu\|title='Dead' Kosovar Albanian IS Militant Resurfaces In Gruesome Killing Video\|url=http://www.raqqa-sl.com/en/?p=1209\|website=Raqqa News\|accessdate=23 September 2015\|date=26 May 2015}}</ref> Many Kosovo media outlets presumed that the person in the video is Lavdrim Muhaxheri and this, in turn, sparked new speculation about whether Muhaxheri might be alive, especially in Balkan media.<ref name=antitank>{{cite news\|language=\|trans_title=\|title=Rishfaqet egërsira Lavdrim Muhaxheri - ekzekuton një fëmijë me antitank (VIDEO)\|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/rishfaqet-egersira-lavdrim-muhaxheri-ekzekuton-nje-femije-me-antitank-video-102470/?archive=1\|accessdate=5 October 2015\|work=Gazeta Express\|date=21 May 2015}}</ref> International mass media outlets have not named the man in the video as Lavdrim Muhaxheri, and have stated that the video is uncensored.<ref name="censorship not mentioned">{{cite news\|last1=Saul\|first1=Heather\|title=Isis purportedly executes man with bazooka in disturbing propaganda video\|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-purportedly-executes-man-with-a-bazooka-in-disturbing-propaganda-video-10267322.html\|accessdate=5 October 2015\|work=The Independent\|date=21 May 2015}}</ref>
			On 8 June 2017, Kosovo police and his family said that Muhaxheri was killed in Syria without providing further details.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.euronews.com/2017/06/08/kosovo-is-commander-killed-police-and-family-say\|title=Kosovo IS commander killed, police and family say\|access-date=8 June 2017\|publisher=Euronews\|archive-date=8 June 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608140221/http://www.euronews.com/2017/06/08/kosovo-is-commander-killed-police-and-family-say\|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to local media reports, citing Kosovar Interior Ministry sources, it was indicated that he was killed in a U.S airstrike close to the ] capital city of ].<ref>{{cite magazine\|url=http://www.newsweek.com/who-lavdrim-muhaxheri-isiss-balkans-commander-architect-israel-world-cup-plot-623101\|title=WHO IS LAVDRIM MUHAXHERI? ISIS BALKANS COMMANDER, ARCHITECT OF ISRAEL WORLD CUP PLOT, NOW DEAD\|access-date=8 June 2017\|magazine=Newsweek}}</ref>

			==Annotations==
	In the video, IS militants state that the captive is guilty of murdering members of the Islamic State with a rocket-propelled grenade, and that he is therefore sentenced to the same method of execution as his alleged victims, referring to an "eye for an eye" law in the ].<ref name="Mail">{{cite web\|last1=Tomlinson\|first1=Simon\|title=ISIS execute a man with a BAZOOKA in shocking new video: Terror group blast prisoner after tying him to a post\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3090886/ISIS-execute-man-BAZOOKA-shocking-new-video.html\|work=]\|date=21 May 2015\|accessdate=23 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="rpgvideo">{{cite web\|last1=Malik\|first1=Rita\|title=English translation of IS' RPG-video \|url=http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9a5_1432313993\|date=22 May 2015\|accessdate=12 October 2015}}</ref>
			{{Cnote2 Begin\|liststyle=upper-alpha}}
			{{Cnote2\|a\|Quoting the press release: "Lavdrim Muhaxheri is a Kosovar Albanian foreign fighter for ISIL who operates in both Syria and Iraq. Muhaxheri made international headlines in July 2014 after uploading to Facebook graphic photos of himself beheading a young man."<ref name=FTF>{{cite web\|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters\|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232067.htm\|website=State.gov\|publisher=United States Department of State\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=24 September 2014\|quote=Lavdrim Muhaxheri is a Kosovar Albanian foreign fighter for ISIL who operates in both Syria and Iraq. Muhaxheri made international headlines in July 2014 after uploading to Facebook graphic photos of himself beheading a young man.}}</ref> The State Department and Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions, freezing assets and blocking financial transactions for "Islamist fighters" including Muhaxheri.<ref>{{cite web\|title=U.S. imposes financial sanctions on Islamist fighters\|url=http://news724.com/u-s-imposes-financial-sanctions-on-islamist-fighters/\|website=News724.com\|agency=Reuters\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=27 September 2014}}</ref> On 2 October 2014, a statement on Muhaxheri by U.S. Secretary of State ] dated 17 September 2014 was published in the ] wherein Muhaxheri was described as a threat to ] ] and, thereby, "blacklisted" from the United States.<ref>{{cite web\|first=John F.\|last=Kerry\|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/10/02/2014-23534/in-the-matter-of-the-designation-of-lavdrim-muhaxheri-also-known-as-ebu-abdullah-el-albani-also \|title=In the Matter of the Designation of Lavdrim Muhaxheri, also known as Ebu Abdullah el Albani, also known as Abu Abdullah al Kosova, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovi, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovo as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as Amended \|website=FederalRegister.gov \|date=2 October 2014 \|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> }}
			{{Cnote2 End}}

			==References==
	On 19 October 2015 Kosova Press reported that one of the militants in the RPG - video,<ref name=rpgvideo/> purportedly a friend of Muhaxheri, had died a week earlier in an attack on a training camp in Syria.<ref name=bleta/> In the same article it's claimed that media was in disagreement with the militant regarding Lavdrim Muhaxheri's death.<ref name="basri">{{cite web\|work= standardi.eu\|title=Article about Basri Sylejmani commenting on media reports of Muhaxheri's death\|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.standardi.eu%2Fsq%2FLajme%2FLavdrim-Muhaxheri-sh%25C3%25ABndosh-e-mir%25C3%25AB-%2528Foto%2529\|date=19 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="bleta">{{cite web\|first=Bleta\|last =Gashi\|work= GazetaExpress.com\|title=Article about the death of Basri Sylejmani in october 2015\|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/ekskluzive-vritet-ne-siri-basri-sylejmani-shoku-i-ngushte-i-lavdrim-muhaxherit-138374/&prev=search\|date=19 October 2015}}</ref> During 2014 Lavdrim Muhaxheri was claimed to still be alive on several occasions based on information claimed by Kosova Press to be taken from IS militants' Facebook accounts.<ref name=telegrafi/><ref name=tema2/>
			{{reflist}}

			==Sources==
	On 29 September 2015 Kosova Press<ref>{{cite web\|work= GazetaExpress.com \|title=Article about video of Lavdrim Muhaxheri allegedly speaking outside a university in Pristina, Kosovo\|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazetaexpress.com%2Flajme%2Flavdrim-muhaxheri-ne-mes-te-prishtines-serbia-erdhi-te-na-e-luftoje-islamin-video-133589%2F \|date=29 September 2015}}</ref> published images from a ] -post from 31 August 2015<ref>{{cite web\|title=Video with Lavdrim Muhaxheri alongside Naman Demolli on Liveleak\|url=http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=700_1440993370\|date=31 August 2015}}</ref> containing an older video with Lavdrim Muhaxheri alongside KLA - member Naman Demolli, taken prior to Demolli's death which was confirmed to be no later than in August 2012.<ref name="xhymshiti">{{cite web\|first=Vedat\|last=Xhymshiti\|title=Article about Naman Demolli's death\|url= http://gazetajnk.com/?cid=1,983,4065\|date=9 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="demolli2">{{cite web\|work=Telegraphi.com\|title=Article about Naman Demolli's death published by Telegraphi in 2012\|url= https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/xhihadi-i-namanit-2-26387.html&prev=search\|date=13 November 2012}}</ref>
			*{{cite web\|last=Paraszczuk\|first=Joanna\|title=Report Finds Alarming Outflow Of Kosovars To Islamic State \|date=15 April 2015a\|work=Tracking Islamic State\|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty\|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/islamic-state-kosovars-fighting-syria-iraq/26957463.html}}
			*{{cite web\|last=Paraszczuk\|first=Joanna\|title='Dead' Kosovar Albanian IS Militant Resurfaces In Gruesome Killing Video\|date=26 May 2015b\|work=Tracking Islamic State\|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty\|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/dead-kosovar-albanian-militant-resurfaces-gruesome-killing-video/27037461.html}}
			*{{cite web\|last1=Likmeta\|first1=Besar\|last2=Zogjani\|first2=Nektar\|title=Jihadist's Beheading Photos Shock Kosovo\|date=July 31, 2014\|work=News\|publisher=Balkan Insight\|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albanian-jihadists-beheading-photos-spark-outrage}}
			*{{cite web\|author=Gazeta Express\|title=Who is Lavdrim Muhaxheri?\|date=August 20, 2014\|work=News\|publisher=Gazeta Express\|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/news/who-is-lavdrim-muhaxheri-69-37296/?archive=1}}
			*{{cite news\|last=Schwartz\|first=Stephen\|date=8 December 2014\|title=ISIS and the Kosovar Albanians\|work=Huffington Post\|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-schwartz/isis-and-the-kosovar-alba_b_5670061.html}}

			==External links==
	Between 27 November 2015 - 2 December 2015 Balkan media reported claims of Lavdrim Muhaxheri hiding in various towns around Skopje in Macedonia.<ref>{{cite news\|title="Macedonia: Police searches Skopje's surrounding area for executioner from Syria"\|url=http://www.independent.mk/articles/24982/Macedonia+Police+Search+Skopje's+Surrounding+Area+for+Executioner+from+Syria\|work=www.independent.mk\|date=2 December 2015}}</ref>
			*{{cite web\|author=Interpol\|title=Muhaxheri, Lavdrim: Wanted by the judicial authorities of Under UNMIK Mandate (Kosovo) for prosecution / to serve a sentence\|url=http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-43350\|website=Interpol.int\|access-date=14 September 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924052400/http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-43350\|archive-date=24 September 2015\|url-status=dead}}
	Some media reports claimed that Lavdrim Muhaxheri was hiding behind the name "Boban Decipi",<ref>{{cite news\|title=Exclusive: Lavdrim Muhaxheri changes name to Boban Decipi\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://tesheshi.com/ekskluzive-lavdrim-muhaxheri-nderron-identitet-quhet-dhe-boban-depic-kater-kosovare-te-shpallur-te-vrare-ne-siri-jane-gjalle-ja-emrat/&prev=search\|work=www.tesheshi.com\|date=27 November 2015}}</ref> stated in the articles to be based on information from unnamed sources in intelligence services. These claims were denounced by Macedonian police department who, in a public interview, stated that they had no information indicative of Lavdrim Muhaxheri being in Macedonia.<ref>{{cite news\|title="Police dismiss reports that Jihadi Lavdrim Muhaxheri is in the region"\|url=http://www.kosovapress.com/en/security/policia-seshte-e-vertet-se-lavdim-muhagjeri-eshte-ne-rajon-57888/\|work=www.kosovapress.com\|date=1 December 2015}}</ref>

			{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}
	On 2 December 2015 Balkan media reported that Lavdrim Muhaxheri was physically paralyzed and in "a grave condition" in Syria and that the previous reports about Lavdrim Muhaxheri being in the Balkans were incorrect. This information is stated to be from unnamed sources within foreign intelligence.
	<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lavdrim Muhaxheri allegedly paralyzed in Syria\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/lavdrim-muhaxheri-dyshohet-se-ka-mbetur-i-paralizuar-ne-siri-2-76214.html&prev=search\|work=www.telegrafi.com\|date=2 December 2015}}</ref>

	On 22 December 2015 Italien media reported that Lavdrim Muhaxheri had been arrested in his hometown Kačanik by Russian secret service - agents in an anti - terror operation. The report was denounced by Kosova authorities.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Article about Lavdrim Muhaxheri being arrested in his hometown Kačanik\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.panorama.com.al/le-iene-lavdrim-muhaxheri-kapet-ne-kacanik-per-rrezimin-e-avionit-rus/&prev=search\|work=www.panorama.com\|date=22 December 2015}}</ref>

	On 27 December 2015 a post on an unnamed social media channel titled "Iran's Rouhani urges Muslim countries to unite" emerged with an undated video from ]' archive attached. <ref>{{cite news\|title=Article about Euronews video\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.panorama.com.al/muhaxheri-permes-euronews-mesazh-mediave-qe-raportuan-se-vdiq56/&prev=search\|work=www.panorama.com\|date=27 December 2015}}</ref>
	One of the men in the video was, by some media outlets, assumed to be Lavdrim Muhaxheri and this sparked further medial speculation about whether Lavdrim Muhaxheri might be alive or not.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Is Lavdrim Muhaxheri alive?\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://infokusi.com/lavdrim-muhaxheri-eshte-gjalle-fotovideo/&prev=search\|work=www.infokusi.com\|date=27 December 2015}}</ref> The video had been added as a segment at the end of a broadcast speech by ]'s president ] on Islamic State at the 29th International Islamic Unity Conference on 27 December 2015, which was published by, amongst others, Euronews. <ref name=Euronews>{{cite news\|title=Iran’s Rouhani urges Muslim countries to unite\|url= http://www.euronews.com/2015/12/27/iran-s-rouhani-urges-muslim-countries-to-unite/\|work=www.euronews.com\|date=27 December 2015}}</ref>

	As of May 2015, footage alleged to be of Lavdrim Muhaxheri, except for a video published by Memri TV and a video of Lavdrim Muhaxheri alongside late Kosovo Liberation Army(KLA) member Naman Demolli, remains unverified as to when it was taken, where it was taken and whether it indeed depicts Lavdrim Muhaxheri, or if another militant with a similar appearance is merely emulating Lavdrim Muhaxheri.<ref name=Paraszczuk>{{cite news\|last1=Paraszczuk\|first1=Joanna\|title='Dead' Kosovar Albanian IS Militant Resurfaces In Gruesome Killing Video\|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/dead-kosovar-albanian-militant-resurfaces-gruesome-killing-video/27037461.html\|accessdate=5 October 2015\|work=Radio Free Europe\|date=26 May 2015}}</ref>

	== Muhaxheri's impact on the state of Kosovo ==
	In August 2014 Kosovo mobilized to fight religious radicalism, also referred to as "]" and "]", and terrorism by arresting around forty citizens who were suspected of engaging in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.<ref name=Osservatorio>{{cite web\|last1=Kelmendi\|first1=Violeta Hyseni\|title=Kosovo mobilizes to fight religious radicalism and terrorism\|url=http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Regions-and-countries/Kosovo/Kosovo-mobilizes-to-fight-religious-radicalism-and-terrorism-155153\|website=Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=25 August 2014}}</ref>

	Muhaxheri's actions prompted a new ] law prohibiting the teaching of wahhabism in Kosovo. This led to the arrest of several imams within Islamic Community of Kosova (ICK).<ref name="Osservatorio"/>

	== The U.S blacklisting of Muhaxheri==
	On 24 September 2014, the ] (DoS) designated Muhaxheri as a global terrorist.<ref name=FTF>{{cite web\|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters\|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232067.htm\|website=State.gov\|publisher=United States Department of State\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=24 September 2014}}</ref> The listing was prompted by his affiliation with ] (IS) as well as the footage of the alleged beheading he posted to Facebook July 2014.<ref name=FTF/> In praxis the listing means that it's an offense to provide financial support or expert advice to a person on the list.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Masi\|first1=Alessandra\|title=New Terrorist Groups In Syria: What Does It Mean If The US State Department Puts You On The Terrorist List\|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/new-terrorist-groups-syria-what-does-it-mean-if-us-state-department-puts-you-terrorist-1694668\|website=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=24 September 2014}}</ref>

	On 2 October 2014, a statement on Muhaxheri by U.S. Secretary of State ] dated 17 September 2014 was published in the ] wherein Muhaxheri was described as a threat to ] ] and, thereby, "blacklisted" from the United States.<ref name=Kerry/>


	==References==
	{{reflist\|30em}}

	==External links==
	*

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Latest revision as of 02:40, 13 January 2025

Kosovar Albanian jihadist

Lavdrim Muhaxheri
Image from Interpol wanted profile
Other name(s)	Abu Abdullah al Kosova; Abu Abdallah al-Kosovi
Born	1989 Kačanik, Yugoslavia (now Kosovo)
Died	8 June 2017(2017-06-08) (aged 27–28) Syria
Allegiance	NATO (2010–12) al-Nusra Front (late 2012) Islamic State (2013–2017)
Unit	ethnic Albanian mujahideen
Military conflicts	Syrian Civil War Iraqi Civil War

Lavdrim Muhaxheri (/ˌmuːhəˈdʒɛri/; 1989 or ca. 1987 – 8 June 2017), also known by the nom de guerre Abu Abdullah al Kosova, was a Kosovar Albanian Islamic State (IS) leader and recruiter of ethnic Albanian jihadi foreign fighters fighting in Syria and in Iraq. A former KFOR and NATO employee, he became an extremist and left for Syria in late 2012. He appeared in several propaganda videos, calling Albanians to join jihad, and uploaded photographs of himself appearing to decapitate a man, as well as a video where he kills a captive with a rocket. On 24 September 2014, the U.S. Department of State designated Muhaxheri as a global terrorist.

On 8 June 2017, without providing further details, Muhaxheri's death was announced by his family and police in Kosovo. He was allegedly killed in a U.S. airstrike.

Early life

Lavdrim Muhaxheri, a Kosovo Albanian Muslim, was born on 12 March 1989 (according to Interpol) or 3 December 1989 or ca. 1987 (according to UN) in Kačanik, SFR Yugoslavia. Muhaxheri grew up during the Kosovo War (1998–99). He worked at Kosovo Force (KFOR) camp "Camp Bondsteel" in Ferizaj until 2010, when he was promoted to a NATO training camp in Afghanistan.

Muhaxheri served with NATO at a training camp in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2012, then returned to Kosovo. In late 2012, he became associated with extremist Islamist associations, first with a local organization, "Parimi", which then established the Islamic Youth-Kaçanik organization, in which he was appointed emir (military leader). The organization was formed within the Islamic Community of Kosova (ICK). His friends told media that he had not been radical prior to joining the Islamist associations. Muhaxheri claimed in Facebook posts at the time that he controlled the appointment of the imam at the Kaçanik Mosque, the center of a conflict between radicals and traditional locals. He also threatened to kill people who criticized Kosovo Albanians going to Syria to fight.

Militant activity

Arriving in Syria in late 2012, he joined the Syrian Civil War as a mujahid and became a leader of a unit of ethnic Albanian mujahideen, connected to the al-Nusra Front. He returned to Kosovo in 2013, and was present at the 2013 Ramadan festival, as part of the Islamic Community of Kosova, in Kačanik, as evidenced by photographs. He then returned to Syria the same year, becoming a mujahideen leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or IS), directly reporting to IS caliph Abu al-Baghdadi, leading a platoon of ethnic Albanian fighters. Muhaxheri was a link between the IS and ethnic Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia. Some 500 ethnic Albanians from the Western Balkans fight for the IS, out of whom 232 are from Kosovo (May 2015). Muhaxheri was described as an "intelligent and an experienced military strategist".

In October 2013, Muhaxheri appeared in a video calling Albanians to join their fight. In the IS propaganda film Clanging of the Swords IV, he is seen alongside other Albanians from Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, brandishing a sword and then destroying their passports. The film, posted on 17 May 2014, is an "extremely violent hour-long film", whose "production style is reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters".

On 29 July 2014, Muhaxheri uploaded photos to a Facebook page where he is seen beheading an unidentified young man in Syria. In an interview with the Albanian daily "Dita", posted on 2 August 2014, Muhaxheri said that the man was a 19-year-old spy, and that he had acted according to the Quran. On 15 August 2014, Interpol received an international warrant request from Kosovo authorities.

On 18 August 2014, Iraqi Kurdish media channel KNNC reported that Muhaxheri had been killed and published photos allegedly showing his dead body. Muhaxheri's friend denied the claims of his death, while Muhaxheri's Facebook page was deleted, leading to speculations whether Muhaxheri was alive. In late August, Kosovo authorities arrested forty citizens suspected of engaging in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, including several imams within the Islamic Community of Kosova, in an effort to suppress radical Islamism and Wahhabism. Muhaxheri's actions prompted a new law prohibiting the teaching of Wahhabism in Kosovo. On 24 September 2014, the U.S. Department of State designated Muhaxheri a global terrorist.

In another video published by activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RSS) on 21 May 2015, Lavdrim Muhaxheri is seen firing a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a captive in Syria. It is unclear if it is a new or old video; a RSS activist believed it to be new, while an Albanian researcher questioned that it was a new video that proved he was still alive, while another analyst said it was at least newer than August 2014. In the video, Muhaxheri interrogates the captive, who says that he had killed two IS fighters with a RPG; Muhaxheri condemns the captive to death by RPG as well.

Muhaxheri was last reported to be in Syria in 2015. On 29 August 2015, an IS propaganda video promoting the new currency was published, in which Muhaxheri is seen handling golden coins (dinars). Several ethnic Albanian jihadists living in Italy, with connections to Muhaxheri, were arrested by Italian police in November 2015. On 29 December 2015 it was reported that he was in Iraq, according to photographs posted on Twitter.

Between 4 and 16 November 2016, eighteen Kosovo Albanians and one Macedonian Albanian were arrested suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Kosovo and Albania. They were coordinated by Muhaxheri and fellow IS fighter Ridvan Haqifi. According to the prosecution, the terrorist group planned attacks on international and state institutions, ultimately with the intent to establish an Islamic state. They planned to attack the Israeli football team during a match in Albania.

Death

On 8 June 2017, Kosovo police and his family said that Muhaxheri was killed in Syria without providing further details. According to local media reports, citing Kosovar Interior Ministry sources, it was indicated that he was killed in a U.S airstrike close to the ISIL capital city of Raqqa.

Annotations

Quoting the press release: "Lavdrim Muhaxheri is a Kosovar Albanian foreign fighter for ISIL who operates in both Syria and Iraq. Muhaxheri made international headlines in July 2014 after uploading to Facebook graphic photos of himself beheading a young man." The State Department and Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions, freezing assets and blocking financial transactions for "Islamist fighters" including Muhaxheri. On 2 October 2014, a statement on Muhaxheri by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry dated 17 September 2014 was published in the Federal Register wherein Muhaxheri was described as a threat to U.S. national security and, thereby, "blacklisted" from the United States.

References

Interpol.
"SCA/2/15 (31)" (PDF). United Nations. 29 September 2015: 2. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^ Freeman, Colin (23 August 2015). "Inside Kacanik, Kosovo's jihadist capital". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
^ "K. Albanian who committed gruesome crimes 'is dead'". B92 (Serbian television station). 19 August 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
^ "Ekskluzive: Biografia e Lavdrim Muhaxherit" [Exclusive: Biography Lavdrim Muhaxheri]. KosovaPress.com. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 13 September 2015. (translated into English with Google translate)
^ Gazeta Express 2014.
^ Schwartz 2014.
^ Paraszczuk 2015b.
^ Paraszczuk 2015a.
^ "Balkan fighters abroad: Holy warriors". The Economist. 21 August 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
"ISIS jihadists put out Hollywood-style propaganda film". 13 June 2014.
"FOTOT TRONDITESE/ Lavdrim Muhaxheri pret koka njerëzish në Siri". Gazeta Tema. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
"International arrest warrant for Lavdrim Muhaxheri". Gazeta Express. 15 August 2014.
"Lavdrim Muhaxheri nuk ka vdekur, thotë bashkëluftëtari i tij Fitim Lladrovci". Telegrafi.com. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
^ Kelmendi, Violeta Hyseni (25 August 2014). "Kosovo mobilizes to fight religious radicalism and terrorism". Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
"Financial Sanctions Notice" (PDF). HM Treasury. 9 October 2015. MUHAXHERI, Lavdrim (Group ID: 13296) {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
"Why Islamic State's gold coins won't replace the global banking system". The Economist explains. Economist. 3 September 2015.
"Imazhi i ISIS-it, Lavdrim Muhaxheri [video]". Koha. 1 September 2015.
Albertini, Matteo (6 December 2015). "Italy and Kosovo Intensify Actions against another ISIS-linked Group". Balkan Analysis. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
"Iraq: New photos of Lavdrim Muhaxheri come into sight". RTK. 29 December 2015.
"Kosovo IS commander killed, police and family say". Euronews. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
"WHO IS LAVDRIM MUHAXHERI? ISIS BALKANS COMMANDER, ARCHITECT OF ISRAEL WORLD CUP PLOT, NOW DEAD". Newsweek. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
"Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters". State.gov. United States Department of State. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015. Lavdrim Muhaxheri is a Kosovar Albanian foreign fighter for ISIL who operates in both Syria and Iraq. Muhaxheri made international headlines in July 2014 after uploading to Facebook graphic photos of himself beheading a young man.
"U.S. imposes financial sanctions on Islamist fighters". News724.com. Reuters. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
Kerry, John F. (2 October 2014). "In the Matter of the Designation of Lavdrim Muhaxheri, also known as Ebu Abdullah el Albani, also known as Abu Abdullah al Kosova, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovi, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovo as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as Amended". FederalRegister.gov. Retrieved 13 September 2015.

Sources

Paraszczuk, Joanna (15 April 2015a). "Report Finds Alarming Outflow Of Kosovars To Islamic State". Tracking Islamic State. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Paraszczuk, Joanna (26 May 2015b). "'Dead' Kosovar Albanian IS Militant Resurfaces In Gruesome Killing Video". Tracking Islamic State. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Likmeta, Besar; Zogjani, Nektar (31 July 2014). "Jihadist's Beheading Photos Shock Kosovo". News. Balkan Insight.
Gazeta Express (20 August 2014). "Who is Lavdrim Muhaxheri?". News. Gazeta Express.
Schwartz, Stephen (8 December 2014). "ISIS and the Kosovar Albanians". Huffington Post.

External links

Interpol. "Muhaxheri, Lavdrim: Wanted by the judicial authorities of Under UNMIK Mandate (Kosovo) for prosecution / to serve a sentence". Interpol.int. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 14 September 2015.

Islamic State

Names of the Islamic State

Members
(List of leaders)

Current

† Former

History

Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (1999–2004)
Al-Qaeda in Iraq (2004–2006)
Mujahideen Shura Council (2006)
Islamic State of Iraq (2006–2013)
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (2013–2014)
Islamic State (2014–present)

Timeline of events

Groups

International branches

Unorganized cells

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2013	Akashat Hawija Raqqa Al-Shabah Ras al-Ayn Tell Abyad Latakia Menagh Sidi Ali Ben Aoun Sadad Qalamoun Aleppo Al-Yaarubiyah Tell Hamis and Tell Brak Anbar
2014	Fallujah N Aleppo Markada N Iraq (Jun) Mosul Salahuddin Baiji (Jun) Tikrit N Iraq (Aug) Kobanî Sinjar (Aug) Derna Ramadi Deir ez-Zor Baiji (14–15) Sinjar (Dec) Zumar Amirli
2015	Nofaliya W Africa Egyptian airstrikes in Libya Niger raid E al-Hasakah Tikrit Sirte Hama & Homs (Mar–Apr) Sarrin (Mar–Apr) Yarmouk Qalamoun Palmyra (May) W al-Hasakah Al-Hasakah city Tell Abyad Sarrin (Jun–Jul) Al-Hasakah Kobani Palmyra (Jul–Aug) Ramadi (15–16) Al-Qaryatayn Al-Hawl Homs (Nov–Dec) Sinjar E Aleppo (15–16) Niveneh Plains Tishrin Dam
2016	Deir ez-Zor (Jan) Fallujah (Feb–May) Nangarhar Ben Guerdane Ithriyah-Raqqa (Feb–Mar) Al-Shaddadi Khanasir Al-Qaryatayn (Mar–Apr) Palmyra (Mar) N Aleppo (Mar–Jun) Hīt Tipo-Tipo Sirte Ar-Rutbah N Raqqa Fallujah (May–Jun) Manbij Ithriyah-Raqqa (Jun) Abu Kamal al-Rai (Aug) N al-Bab (Sep) W al-Bab (Sep) Dabiq W al-Bab (Oct–Nov) Al-Bab Aleppo Palmyra
2017	Mosul (16–17) Raqqa (16–17) Palmyra Deir ez-Zor (Jan–Feb) E Aleppo (Jan–Apr) E Homs Hama W Nineveh Tabqa Syrian Desert (Dec 16–Apr 17) Syrian Desert (May–Jul) Maskanah Marawi Raqqa S Raqqa C Syria Tal Afar Deir ez-Zor (17–19) Hawija E Syria (Sep–Dec) NW Syria (Oct 17–Feb 18) Abu Kamal W Iraq
2018	As-Suwayda (Jun) S Syria As-Suwayda (Aug–Nov)
2019	Hajin Baghuz Fawqani Barisha raid
2020	Chinagodrar Danag Mocímboa da Praia Al Bayda
2021	Tessit Palma Sambisa Dangarous
2022	Al-Hasakah Atme raid Andéramboukane Talataye
2023	Falagountou

Attacks

2014	Jewish Museum of Belgium shooting Camp Speicher massacre Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu ramming
2015	Hypercacher kosher supermarket siege Beheading of Copts in Libya Corinthia Hotel Al Qubbah bombings Bardo National Museum Sanaa bombings (Mar) Jalalabad bombing Curtis Culwell Center Qatif & Dammam bombings 26 June Kobanî massacre Saint-Quentin-Fallavier Kuwait mosque bombing Sousse Khan Bani Saad bombing Suruç bombing Baghdad bombing (Aug) Sanaa bombing (Sep) Ankara bombings Saihat shooting Metrojet Flight 9268 Beirut bombings Paris (Nov) Tunis bombing San Bernardino attack Qamishli bombings
2016	Zliten truck bombing Hurghada Istanbul bombing (Jan) Jakarta Ramadi bombing Mahasin mosque Sayyidah Zaynab (Jan) Mosul massacre Homs bombings (Feb) Sayyidah Zaynab bombings (Feb) Baghdad bombings (Feb) Istanbul bombing (Mar) Brussels bombings Aden bombing Iskandariya bombing Baghdad bombing (Apr) Samawa bombing Gaziantep bombing (May) Baghdad bombings (11 May) Real Madrid fan club massacres Baghdad gas plant Yemen police bombings (15 May) Baghdad bombings (17 May) Jableh & Tartous bombings (May) Yemen bombings (23 May) Aktobe shootings Pulse nightclub shooting Magnanville stabbing Mukalla (Jun) Movida Bar Atatürk Airport Dhaka (Jul) Karrada bombing Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hadi Mausoleum Nice truck Würzburg train Kabul bombing (Jul) Ansbach bombing Normandy church Qamishli bombings (Jul) Charleroi stabbing Shchelkovo Highway police station Aden bombing (Aug) Syria bombings (5 Sep) Baghdad bombings (9 Sep) Baghdad bombings (Oct) Quetta police college Hamam al-Alil massacre Khuzdar bombing Samarinda bombing Hillah bombing (Nov) Aden bombings (Dec) Botroseya bombing Al-Karak Berlin truck Murders of Sefter Taş and Fethi Şahin Baghdad bombings (Dec)
2017	Istanbul nightclub shooting Baghdad bombings (2 Jan) Azaz bombing (Jan) Sehwan bombing Kabul (Mar) Westminster St Petersburg Metro bombing Egypt church bombings Mastung bombing Manchester Arena bombing Jakarta bombings Minya Al-Faqma bombing London Bridge Brighton siege Tehran Pakistan attacks (Jun) Hurghada Quetta bombing (Aug) Barcelona Brussels (Aug) Nasiriyah Afghanistan (20 Oct) New York City truck Sinai mosque Kabul bombing (28 Dec) Saint Menas church
2018	Baghdad bombings Save The Children Jalalabad Kizlyar church shooting Kabul bombing (Mar) Carcasonne & Trèbes Kabul bombing (22 Apr) Kabul bombings (30 Apr) Tripoli Mako Brimob standoff Paris knife Surabaya bombings Liège Jalalabad bombing (Jul) Mastung & Bannu bombings Quetta bombing As-Suwayda Tajikistan attack Kabul (Sep) Ahvaz military parade Minya bus Melbourne stabbing Murders of Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland
2019	Jolo Cathedral bombings Sri Lanka Easter bombings Sainthamaruthu shootout Kabul bombing (17 Aug)
2020	Kabul shooting (6 Mar) Kabul gurdwara Xitaxi Afghanistan (May) Jalalabad prison Jolo bombings Kabul University Vienna Afghanistan (Dec)
2021	Machh January Baghdad bombings Kabul school bombing Kabul airport Kunduz bombing Kandahar bombing Kampala bombings Kabul hospital
2022	Diyala massacre Peshawar mosque Hadera shooting Mazar-i-Sharif mosque bombing Mazar-i-Sharif minivan bombings Bourasso and Namissiguima Kuje prison break 5 August Kabul bombing August Kabul mosque bombing Bombing of the Russian embassy in Kabul Shah Cheragh Kabul hotel
2023	Kabul airport bombing Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan bombing Al-Sukhnah Hama Khar bombing Arras school stabbing Pul-i-Khumri bombing Brussels shooting Kabul bombing (Nov) Paris Mindanao State University bombing
2024	Kerman bombings Istanbul church shooting Balochistan bombings Sibi bombing Mucojo attack Karabulak clash Kandahar New Kabul Bank bombing Tillabéri attack Crocus City Hall attack 2024 Guzara Attack 2024 Bamyan shooting 2024 Beirut US embassy shooting Rostov-on-Don pre-trial detention center hostage crisis 2024 Dagestan attacks 2024 attack on the Israeli embassy in Belgrade 2024 Muscat mosque shooting 2024 Kabul bus bombing Surovikino penal colony hostage crisis 2024 Solingen stabbing 2024 Qala Bakhtiar bombing 2024 Afghanistan bus shooting
2025	2025 New Orleans truck attack

Politics and organization

Relations

Society

Media

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			{{Short description\|Kosovar Albanian jihadist}}
	{{Orphan\|date=October 2015}}
	{{~~Original~~ ~~research~~\|date=~~January~~ ~~2016~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2023}}
			{{Infobox military person
	{{Synthesis\|date=January 2016}}
			\| name = Lavdrim Muhaxheri
	'''Lavdrim Muhaxheri''' (pronounced {{IPA-en\|muː haˌdzːˈe ri\|}}) (born 12 March 1989), also known by the '']'' '''Abu Abdullah al Kosova''',<ref name=Kerry/> ] Islamic State (IS) leader for approximately 100–150 ethnic Albanian '']'' foreign fighters who fought in Iraq and Syria. He was a former ] and ] employee. He appeared in two propaganda videos, one from the Iraqi War<ref name=muhaxheri>{{cite web\|title=EKSKLUZIVE! - Lavdim Muhaxheri flet rreth gjendjes ne Siri\|trans_title=\|language=\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4yd1k_mlYA\|website=YouTube.com\|publisher=Islam Peace\|accessdate=13 September 2015\|date=7 November 2013}}</ref> and one video alongside late ] (KLA) member Naman Demolli.<ref name=demolli>{{cite web\|title=Nje fjalim i skurter nga Shehidi Naman Demolli para se te binte Shehid\|trans_title=\|language=\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWoIY8bHgf8\|website=YouTube.com\|publisher=Te Shiqojm Se Bashku\|accessdate=13 September 2015\|date=31 July 2015}}</ref> On 24 September 2014, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) listed Muhaxheri as the fourth-most-wanted terrorist in the world.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232067.htm \|publisher=U.S Department of State \|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters \|date=24 September 2014 \|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, on 2 October 2014, a statement from U.S. Secretary of State ] about Muhaxheri being blacklisted in the U.S. was published in the Federal Register.<ref name=Kerry>{{cite web\|first=John F.\|last=Kerry\|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/10/02/2014-23534/in-the-matter-of-the-designation-of-lavdrim-muhaxheri-also-known-as-ebu-abdullah-el-albani-also \|title=In the Matter of the Designation of Lavdrim Muhaxheri, also known as Ebu Abdullah el Albani, also known as Abu Abdullah al Kosova, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovi, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovo as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as Amended \|website=FederalRegister.gov \|date=2 October 2014 \|accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref>
			\| image = Lavdrim Muhaxheri.jpeg
			\| image_size =
			\| alt =
			\| caption = Image from Interpol wanted profile
			\| other_name = Abu Abdullah al Kosova; Abu Abdallah al-Kosovi
			\| birth_date = 1989
			\| birth_place = ], ] {{small\|(now ])}}
			\| death_date = {{death date and age \|2017\|6\|8\|1989\|df=yes}}
			\| death_place = ]
			\| allegiance = ] (2010–12) <br> ] (late 2012) <br>] (2013–2017)
			\| branch =
			\| serviceyears =
			\| rank =
			\| servicenumber = <!-- Do not use data from primary sources such as service records -->
			\| unit = ethnic Albanian ]
			\| commands =
			\| battles_label = Military conflicts
			\| battles = ] <br>]
			\| awards =
			\| relations =
			}}

			'''Lavdrim Muhaxheri''' ({{IPAc-en\|ˌ\|m\|uː\|h\|ə\|ˈ\|d\|ʒ\|ɛr\|i}}; 1989 or ca. 1987 – 8 June 2017), also known by the '']'' '''Abu Abdullah al Kosova''', was a Kosovar Albanian Islamic State (IS) leader and recruiter of ethnic Albanian '']'' foreign fighters fighting in Syria and in Iraq. A former ] and ] employee, he became an extremist and left for Syria in late 2012. He appeared in several propaganda videos, calling Albanians to join jihad, and uploaded photographs of himself appearing to decapitate a man, as well as a video where he kills a captive with a rocket. On 24 September 2014, the ] designated Muhaxheri as a global terrorist.
	==Early life==
	Lavdrim Muhaxheri, a Kosovo Albanian Muslim, was born on 12 March 1989<ref name=Interpol/> in the town of ],<ref name=AlJazeera>{{cite web\|last1=Plesch\|first1=Valerie\|title=Kosovo tries to stem flow of ISIL recruits\|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/23/kosovo-tries-to-stemflowofisilrecruits.html\|website=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=23 September 2014}}</ref><ref name=B92>{{cite web\|title=K. Albanian who committed gruesome crimes 'is dead'\|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world.php?yyyy=2014&mm=08&dd=19&nav_id=91333 \|publisher='']'' (Serbian television station) \|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=19 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=telegraph>{{cite web\|last1=Freeman\|first1=Colin\|title=Inside Kacanik, Kosovo's jihadist capital\|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/kosovo/11818659/Inside-Kacanik-Kosovos-jihadist-capital.html\|work=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=23 August 2015}}</ref> located on the border between ] and ]. He was raised Muslim, living with his father and brothers in the absence of his mother. Muhaxheri grew up during the ] (1989–99) during which he and his family were affected by the persecution of ethnic Albanians conducted by the Serbian ]'s regime in Kosovo. He graduated from the Skanderbeg School. His education earned him a position as an English translator in the the American ] (KFOR) camp, "]"<ref name=bondsteel>{{cite web\|title= Presentation of Camp Bondsteel\|work=army-technology.com\|url=http://www.army-technology.com/projects/campbondsteel/}}</ref>{{not in citation}} in the city of ] in southeastern Kosovo.<ref name=B92/> He worked at Camp Bondsteel until 2010, when he was promoted to a ] (NATO) training camp in ].<ref name=B92/><ref name=KosovaPress>{{cite web\|url=http://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.kosovapress.com/sq/nacionale/ekskluzive-biografia-e-lavdrim-muhaxherit-9749/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlavdrim%2Bmuhaxheri%2BFerizaj%26start%3D10%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1608%26bih%3D805 \|trans_title=Exclusive: Biography Lavdrim Muhaxheri \|title=Ekskluzive: Biografia e Lavdrim Muhaxherit \|language=\|website=KosovaPress.com \|date=28 January 2014 \|accessdate=13 September 2015}} (translated into English with Google translate)</ref>

			On 8 June 2017, without providing further details, Muhaxheri's death was announced by his family and police in ]. He was allegedly killed in a U.S. airstrike.
	== From NATO to Islamic State (IS) ==

			==Early life==
	Muhaxheri served with NATO at a training camp in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2012, then returned to Kosovo and joined a newly founded group within the ] (ICK) organization called Islamic Youth-].<ref name=KosovaPress/> In late 2012, he joined the ] (''Jabhat al-Nusra''). Several of Muhaxheri's relatives and former friends characterized him as not being noticeably distinguishable by his religious beliefs, nor radicalized, prior to his return from Afghanistan.<ref name=KosovaPress/>
			Lavdrim Muhaxheri, a Kosovo Albanian Muslim, was born on 12 March 1989 (according to Interpol{{sfn\|Interpol}}) or 3 December 1989 or ca. 1987 (according to UN<ref>{{cite journal\|title=SCA/2/15 (31)\|date=29 September 2015\|publisher=United Nations\|url=https://www.nav.gov.hu/data/cms384740/Al_Kaida_listavaltozas_0929_31.pdf\|page=2}}</ref>) in ],<ref name=telegraph/><ref name=B92>{{cite web\|title=K. Albanian who committed gruesome crimes 'is dead'\|url=http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world.php?yyyy=2014&mm=08&dd=19&nav_id=91333 \|publisher=] (Serbian television station) \|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=19 August 2014}}</ref> ]. Muhaxheri grew up during the ] (1998–99). He worked at ] (KFOR) camp "]"<ref name=B92/> in ] until 2010, when he was promoted to a ] training camp in ].<ref name=KosovaPress>{{cite web\|url=http://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.kosovapress.com/sq/nacionale/ekskluzive-biografia-e-lavdrim-muhaxherit-9749/&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlavdrim%2Bmuhaxheri%2BFerizaj%26start%3D10%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1608%26bih%3D805 \|trans-title=Exclusive: Biography Lavdrim Muhaxheri \|title=Ekskluzive: Biografia e Lavdrim Muhaxherit \|language=\|website=KosovaPress.com \|date=28 January 2014 \|access-date=13 September 2015}} (translated into English with Google translate)</ref>

			Muhaxheri served with NATO at a training camp in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2012, then returned to Kosovo. In late 2012, he became associated with extremist Islamist associations, first with a local organization, "Parimi", which then established the Islamic Youth-Kaçanik organization, in which he was appointed ''emir'' (military leader).{{sfn\|Gazeta Express\|2014}} The organization was formed within the ] (ICK).<ref name=KosovaPress/> His friends told media that he had not been radical prior to joining the Islamist associations.<ref name=KosovaPress/> Muhaxheri claimed in Facebook posts at the time that he controlled the appointment of the imam at the Kaçanik Mosque, the center of a conflict between radicals and traditional locals.{{sfn\|Schwartz\|2014}} He also threatened to kill people who criticized Kosovo Albanians going to Syria to fight.{{sfn\|Schwartz\|2014}}
	In March 2014 it became publicly known<ref name=KosovaPress/> that Muhaxheri had joined the ] (IS) when he was assumed, or possibly confused{{weasel word}} to
	appear in the IS-released propaganda film ''Clanging of the Swords IV'' in parallel with the emergence of an older video with Lavdrim Muhaxheri.<ref name=muhaxheri/> In the IS propaganda film, Muhaxheri is seen in public tearing and burning his Kosovo passport while proclaiming that there are no manmade borders between Muslims in the world.<ref name=AlJazeera/><ref name=B92/><ref>{{cite web\|title=Balkan fighters abroad: Holy warriors\|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2014/08/balkan-fighters-abroad\|work=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=21 August 2014}}</ref>

			== Militant activity ==
	Muhaxheri's declaration of joining IS<ref name=muhaxheri/> shed a new light on the ongoing revolution against the ] regime in Syria; that the revolutionary forces, or militias, were far from as cohesive and synchronized in the battles against the ] and other revolutionary groups in Syria as was commonly believed in the West.<ref name=plesch>{{cite web\|last=Plesch\|first1=Valerie\|title=Kosovo tries to stem flow of ISIL recruits\|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/9/23/kosovo-tries-to-stemflowofisilrecruits.html\|date=23 September 2014}}</ref> In the IS propaganda film, Muhaxheri and his followers, a group of 100–150 Albanians from ], ] and ] swore allegiance to IS commander ] for battling not only Assad's forces but also pro-Democracy groups,<ref name=B92/> revolutionary groups such as ]<ref name=plesch/> and groups opposing the ]/] Muslims in Syria. Muhaxheri's faction was described as one that sees Syria as a country to be ruled by the ] law by adherence to ], and in coalition with groups close to ].<ref name=B92/>
			Arriving in Syria in late 2012, he joined the ] as a ] and became a leader of a unit of ethnic Albanian mujahideen, connected to the ].<ref name=KosovaPress/> He returned to Kosovo in 2013, and was present at the 2013 Ramadan festival, as part of the ], in Kačanik, as evidenced by photographs.{{sfn\|Gazeta Express\|2014}} He then returned to Syria the same year, becoming a mujahideen leader of the ] (ISIL, or IS), directly reporting to IS caliph ], leading a platoon of ethnic Albanian fighters.{{sfn\|Gazeta Express\|2014}} Muhaxheri was a link between the IS and ethnic Albanians in Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} Some 500 ethnic Albanians from the Western Balkans fight for the IS, out of whom 232 are from Kosovo (May 2015).{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} Muhaxheri was described as an "intelligent and an experienced military strategist".{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}}

			In October 2013, Muhaxheri appeared in a video calling Albanians to join their fight.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015a}} In the IS propaganda film ''Clanging of the Swords IV'', he is seen alongside other Albanians from Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, brandishing a sword and then destroying their passports.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015a}}<ref name="economist"/> The film, posted on 17 May 2014, is an "extremely violent hour-long film", whose "production style is reminiscent of Hollywood blockbusters".<ref>{{cite web\|title=ISIS jihadists put out Hollywood-style propaganda film\|date=13 June 2014 \|url=http://observers.france24.com/en/20140613-hollywood-fim-jihadist-propaganda-isis}}</ref>
	In reaction to the news that Muhaxheri had joined Islamic State (IS), Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs, ], called Muhaxheri and those like him "the country's shame".<ref>{{cite web\|title=Rexhepi: Lavdrim Muhaxheri and his likes are country’s shame\|url=http://www.kosovapress.com/en/nacional/rexhepi-lavdrim-muhaxheri-and-his-likes-are-countrys-shame-22139/\|website=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=25 July 2014}}</ref> The publication of the footage in numerous media outlets, stirred havoc amongst citizens in Kosovo who condemned Muhaxheri's acts. Muhaxheri was repeatedly referred to as a "monster" in the Kosovo media outlets.<ref name=monster1/>

			On 29 July 2014,<ref>{{cite web\|title=FOTOT TRONDITESE/ Lavdrim Muhaxheri pret koka njerëzish në Siri\|url=http://www.gazetatema.net/web/2014/07/29/fotot-tronditese-lavdrim-muhaxheri-pret-koka-njerezish-ne-siri/\|publisher=Gazeta Tema\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=29 July 2014}}</ref> Muhaxheri uploaded photos to a Facebook page where he is seen beheading an unidentified young man in Syria.<ref name=B92/><ref name=economist>{{cite news\|title=Balkan fighters abroad: Holy warriors\|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2014/08/balkan-fighters-abroad\|newspaper=]\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=21 August 2014}}</ref> In an interview with the Albanian daily "Dita", posted on 2 August 2014, Muhaxheri said that the man was a 19-year-old spy, and that he had acted according to the Quran. On 15 August 2014, Interpol received an international warrant request from Kosovo authorities.<ref>{{cite news\|title=International arrest warrant for Lavdrim Muhaxheri \|work=Gazeta Express\|date=15 August 2014\|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/news/international-arrest-warrant-for-lavdrim-muhaxheri-36271/?archive=1}}</ref>
	== Activities with ISIS ==
	On 29 July 2014,<ref name=Tema>{{cite web\|title=Shocking IMAGES / Lavdrim Muhaxheri expects human heads in Syria \|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazetatema.net%2Fweb%2F2014%2F07%2F29%2Ffotot-tronditese-lavdrim-muhaxheri-pret-koka-njerezish-ne-siri%2F&edit-text=\|website=GazetaTema.net\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=29 July 2014}} (translated into English with Google translate)</ref> Muhaxheri uploaded photos to a Facebook page where he is seen beheading an unidentified young man in Syria.<ref name=economist>{{cite web\|title=Balkan fighters abroad: Holy warriors\|url=http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2014/08/balkan-fighters-abroad\|work=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=21 August 2014}}</ref>

			On 18 August 2014, Iraqi Kurdish media channel ] reported that Muhaxheri had been killed and published photos allegedly showing his dead body.<ref name="telegrafi">{{cite web\|language=\|trans-title=\|title=Lavdrim Muhaxheri nuk ka vdekur, thotë bashkëluftëtari i tij Fitim Lladrovci\|url=http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/lavdrim-muhaxheri-nuk-ka-vdekur-thote-bashkeluftetari-i-tij-fitim-lladrovci-2-49487.html\|work=Telegrafi.com\|date=19 August 2014\|access-date=18 October 2015\|archive-date=8 December 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208093317/http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/lavdrim-muhaxheri-nuk-ka-vdekur-thote-bashkeluftetari-i-tij-fitim-lladrovci-2-49487.html\|url-status=dead}}</ref> Muhaxheri's friend denied the claims of his death,{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015a}} while Muhaxheri's Facebook page was deleted, leading to speculations whether Muhaxheri was alive.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} In late August, Kosovo authorities arrested forty citizens suspected of engaging in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, including several imams within the Islamic Community of Kosova, in an effort to suppress ] and ].<ref name=Osservatorio>{{cite web\|last1=Kelmendi\|first1=Violeta Hyseni\|title=Kosovo mobilizes to fight religious radicalism and terrorism\|url=http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Regions-and-countries/Kosovo/Kosovo-mobilizes-to-fight-religious-radicalism-and-terrorism-155153\|website=]\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=25 August 2014}}</ref> Muhaxheri's actions prompted a new law prohibiting the teaching of Wahhabism in Kosovo.<ref name="Osservatorio"/> On 24 September 2014, the ] designated Muhaxheri a global terrorist.{{Cref2\|a}}
	In an interview with the Albanian daily "Dita", posted on 2 August 2014, Muhaxheri said that he had acted according to the Quran, and had did only what the KLA did during the Kosovo War. The young man was described as a 19-year-old ] boy, belonging to the Iraqi army loyal to ], who had been caught spying and trespassing on the territory (presumably referring to the territory held by Muhaxheri's group). Muhaxheri justified his act of beheading by the following two arguments; that spying is to be punished by death according to the ], and that his act was not anything out of the ordinary compared to what the ] (KLA) had done during the Kosovo War.<ref name=2014-08-KLA>{{cite web\|title=Kosovo Albanian who behaeded a man says he is doing the same thing KLA did\|url=http://inserbia.info/today/2014/08/kosovo-albanian-who-behaeded-a-man-says-he-is-doing-the-same-thing-kla-did/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|language=\|title=Article with interview in Gazeta Dita on 2 August 2014\|url=http://illyriapress.com/lavdrim-muhaxheri-nuk-pendohet-per-ekzekutimin-e-djaloshit-irakian/\|date=2 August 2014}}</ref> Muhaxheri's claim about the KLA's history was disputed by Kosovo's Minister of Justice, Xhavit Jashari.<ref>{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=Muhaxheri Lavdrim veterans react: KLA there beheaded \|title=Veteranët i reagojnë Lavdrim Muhaxherit: UÇK s'ka prerë koka\|url=http://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tetovasot.com%2Fveteranet-i-reagojne-lavdrim-muhaxherit-uck-ska-prere-koka%2F\|website=TetovaSot.com\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=2 August 2014}} (translated into English with Google Translate)</ref>

			In another video published by activist group ] (RSS) on 21 May 2015, Lavdrim Muhaxheri is seen firing a ] (RPG) at a captive in Syria.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} It is unclear if it is a new or old video; a RSS activist believed it to be new, while an Albanian researcher questioned that it was a new video that proved he was still alive, while another analyst said it was at least newer than August 2014.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}} In the video, Muhaxheri interrogates the captive, who says that he had killed two IS fighters with a RPG; Muhaxheri condemns the captive to death by RPG as well.{{sfn\|Paraszczuk\|2015b}}
	On 6 September 2014 it became publicly known that a Kosova prosecutor had been granted an international warrant at the Court of Ferizaj for Muhaxheri's arrest, entailing an international warrant for Muhaxheri at ], for his affiliation with terrorist organisations.<ref name=Interpol>{{cite web\|title=Muhaxheri, Lavdrim: Wanted by the judicial authorities of Under Unmik Mandate (Kosovo) for prosecution\|url=http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-43350\|website=Interpol.int\|accessdate=14 September 2015}}</ref>. The prosecution had obtained text message conversations claimed to be sent and received between the period 12 August 2015 to 5 Oktober 2013 by Lavdrim Muhaxheri and other individuals who have traveled to Syria by crossing the border illegaly between the ] in ] and Syria. Muhaxheri was believed to have traveled to Syria at two(2) occasions between 2012-2013. The first time was between period 2012 to May 2013, wherefrom he returned to Kosova wounded. The second time was sometime after May 2013 and Muhaxheri left Syria to Kosova on 4 October 2013, based on a text message.
	According to the prosecution Muhaxheri had not engaged in fighting in Syria with the other indicted individuals.<ref name=wounded>{{cite news\|title= As he returned wounded Lavdrim Muhaxheri in Kosovo in 2013\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.syri.net/2016/01/15/si-u-kthye-i-plagosur-lavdrim-muhaxheri-ne-kosove-ne-vitin-2013/&prev=search\|work=www.syri.net\|date=15 January 2016}}</ref><ref name=monster1>{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=Interpol declared wanted Monster Muhaxheri \|title=Interpol shpall në kërkim monstrën Muhaxheri\|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazetatema.net%2Fweb%2F2014%2F08%2F15%2Finterpol-shpall-ne-kerkim-monstren-muhaxheri%2F\|website=GazetaTema.net\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=15 August 2015}} (translated into English with Google Translate)</ref>

			Muhaxheri was last reported to be in Syria in 2015.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/kosovo/11818659/Inside-Kacanik-Kosovos-jihadist-capital.html\|title=Inside Kacanik, Kosovo's jihadist capital\|first=Colin\|last=Freeman\|newspaper=]\|date=August 23, 2015\|access-date=January 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal\|title=Financial Sanctions Notice\|date=October 9, 2015\|publisher=HM Treasury\|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/467095/AQ_Notice_2015_1815.pdf\|quote=MUHAXHERI, Lavdrim (Group ID: 13296)}}</ref> On 29 August 2015, an IS propaganda video promoting the new currency was published,<ref>{{cite web\|title=Why Islamic State's gold coins won't replace the global banking system\|date=3 September 2015\|work=The Economist explains\|publisher=Economist\|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2015/09/economist-explains-1}}</ref> in which Muhaxheri is seen handling golden coins (]).<ref>{{cite web\|title=Imazhi i ISIS-it, Lavdrim Muhaxheri \|date=1 September 2015\|publisher=Koha\|url=http://koha.net/?id=27&l=73167}}</ref> Several ethnic Albanian jihadists living in Italy, with connections to Muhaxheri, were arrested by Italian police in November 2015.<ref>{{cite web\|author=Albertini, Matteo\|date=2015-12-06\|publisher=Balkan Analysis\|title=Italy and Kosovo Intensify Actions against another ISIS-linked Group\|url=http://www.balkanalysis.com/kosovo/2015/12/06/italy-and-kosovo-intensify-actions-against-another-isis-linked-group/\|access-date=9 March 2016\|archive-date=5 March 2016\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305233023/http://www.balkanalysis.com/kosovo/2015/12/06/italy-and-kosovo-intensify-actions-against-another-isis-linked-group/\|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 29 December 2015 it was reported that he was in Iraq, according to photographs posted on Twitter.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Iraq: New photos of Lavdrim Muhaxheri come into sight\|publisher=RTK\|date=29 December 2015\|url=http://www.rtklive.com/en/?id=2&r=3885}}</ref>
	In August 2014, Kurdish media channel ] reported that Muhaxheri had been killed in clashes with ] in Iraq and published photos allegedly showing his dead body.<ref>{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=Kosovalbaner: It killed Lavdrim Muhaxheri? \|title=Kosovalbaner: Është vrarë Lavdrim Muhaxheri?\|url=http://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegrafi.com%2Flajme%2Fkosovalbaner-eshte-vrare-lavdrim-muhaxheri-2-49468.html\|website=].com\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=18 August 2014}} (translated into English with Google Translate)</ref><ref name="telegrafi">{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=\|title=Lavdrim Muhaxheri nuk ka vdekur, thotë bashkëluftëtari i tij Fitim Lladrovci\|url=http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/lavdrim-muhaxheri-nuk-ka-vdekur-thote-bashkeluftetari-i-tij-fitim-lladrovci-2-49487.html\|work=Telegrafi.com \|date=19 August 2014}}</ref><ref name=basri/> These claims were later denounced by '']'' based on an image posted by one of Muhaxheri's friends on Facebook, claimed to indicate that Muhaxheri was alive, thus it couldn't be verified when or of whom the image was.<ref>{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=Muhaxheri Lavdrim not dead, says his comrade Earn Lladrovci \|title=Lavdrim Muhaxheri nuk ka vdekur, thotë bashkëluftëtari i tij Fitim Lladrovci\|url=http://www.google.com/translate?hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indeksonline.net%2F%3FFaqeID%3D2%26LajmID%3D111837\|website=IndeksOnline.net\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=19 August 2014}} (translated into English with Google Translate)</ref><ref name="tema2">{{cite web\|language=\|trans_title=\|title=Article about further speculation of Muhaxheri's death\|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazetatema.net%2Fweb%2F2014%2F12%2F08%2Fserish-spekulime-se-lavdrim-muhaxheri-eshte-vrare-por-miqte-e-tij-e-mohojne%2F\|work=GazetaTema.net\|date=9 December 2014}}</ref>

			Between 4 and 16 November 2016, eighteen Kosovo Albanians and one Macedonian Albanian were arrested suspected of planning terrorist attacks in Kosovo and Albania. They were coordinated by Muhaxheri and fellow IS fighter ]. According to the prosecution, the terrorist group planned attacks on international and state institutions, ultimately with the intent to establish an Islamic state. They planned to attack the Israeli football team during a match in Albania.{{fact\|date=February 2023}}
	In September 2014, the United States labeled Muhaxheri as a "ringleader" for Islamic State (IS).<ref name=DTAU>{{cite web\|last1=Benson\|first1=Simon\|title=Islamic State terrorist army ringleaders: The US names the dogs of war\|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/islamic-state-terrorist-army-ringleaders-the-us-names-the-dogs-of-war/story-fni0cx12-1227074518192\|website=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=30 September 2014}}</ref> "The designation of 10 individuals as terrorists — including two fighters involved in groups elsewhere in the world — under a special executive order, mirrors the deck of cards wanted list for Saddam Hussein's henchmen issued by the US during the War in Iraq."<ref name=DTAU/> Also in September 2014, the U.S. State Department and Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions, freezing assets and blocking financial transactions for "Islamist fighters" including Muhaxheri.<ref>{{cite web\|title=U.S. imposes financial sanctions on Islamist fighters\|url=http://news724.com/u-s-imposes-financial-sanctions-on-islamist-fighters/\|website=News724.com\|agency=Reuters\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=27 September 2014}}</ref>

			== Death ==
	In another video that has become public and that is often associated with Lavdrim Muhaxheri, an individual allegedly fires a ] at a captive in Syria. The video was first published by ] on 21 May 2015 <ref>{{cite web\|title='Daily Mail's article about IS' RPG - video \|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3090886/ISIS-execute-man-BAZOOKA-shocking-new-video.html\|date=21 May 2015}}</ref> who obtained it by sharing from the Syrian activist group ], who in turn stated that they had obtained the video from a third party in ].<ref name=Raqqa>{{cite web\|last1=Mohammed\|first1=Abu\|title='Dead' Kosovar Albanian IS Militant Resurfaces In Gruesome Killing Video\|url=http://www.raqqa-sl.com/en/?p=1209\|website=Raqqa News\|accessdate=23 September 2015\|date=26 May 2015}}</ref> Many Kosovo media outlets presumed that the person in the video is Lavdrim Muhaxheri and this, in turn, sparked new speculation about whether Muhaxheri might be alive, especially in Balkan media.<ref name=antitank>{{cite news\|language=\|trans_title=\|title=Rishfaqet egërsira Lavdrim Muhaxheri - ekzekuton një fëmijë me antitank (VIDEO)\|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/rishfaqet-egersira-lavdrim-muhaxheri-ekzekuton-nje-femije-me-antitank-video-102470/?archive=1\|accessdate=5 October 2015\|work=Gazeta Express\|date=21 May 2015}}</ref> International mass media outlets have not named the man in the video as Lavdrim Muhaxheri, and have stated that the video is uncensored.<ref name="censorship not mentioned">{{cite news\|last1=Saul\|first1=Heather\|title=Isis purportedly executes man with bazooka in disturbing propaganda video\|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-purportedly-executes-man-with-a-bazooka-in-disturbing-propaganda-video-10267322.html\|accessdate=5 October 2015\|work=The Independent\|date=21 May 2015}}</ref>
			On 8 June 2017, Kosovo police and his family said that Muhaxheri was killed in Syria without providing further details.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.euronews.com/2017/06/08/kosovo-is-commander-killed-police-and-family-say\|title=Kosovo IS commander killed, police and family say\|access-date=8 June 2017\|publisher=Euronews\|archive-date=8 June 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608140221/http://www.euronews.com/2017/06/08/kosovo-is-commander-killed-police-and-family-say\|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to local media reports, citing Kosovar Interior Ministry sources, it was indicated that he was killed in a U.S airstrike close to the ] capital city of ].<ref>{{cite magazine\|url=http://www.newsweek.com/who-lavdrim-muhaxheri-isiss-balkans-commander-architect-israel-world-cup-plot-623101\|title=WHO IS LAVDRIM MUHAXHERI? ISIS BALKANS COMMANDER, ARCHITECT OF ISRAEL WORLD CUP PLOT, NOW DEAD\|access-date=8 June 2017\|magazine=Newsweek}}</ref>

			==Annotations==
	In the video, IS militants state that the captive is guilty of murdering members of the Islamic State with a rocket-propelled grenade, and that he is therefore sentenced to the same method of execution as his alleged victims, referring to an "eye for an eye" law in the ].<ref name="Mail">{{cite web\|last1=Tomlinson\|first1=Simon\|title=ISIS execute a man with a BAZOOKA in shocking new video: Terror group blast prisoner after tying him to a post\|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3090886/ISIS-execute-man-BAZOOKA-shocking-new-video.html\|work=]\|date=21 May 2015\|accessdate=23 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="rpgvideo">{{cite web\|last1=Malik\|first1=Rita\|title=English translation of IS' RPG-video \|url=http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9a5_1432313993\|date=22 May 2015\|accessdate=12 October 2015}}</ref>
			{{Cnote2 Begin\|liststyle=upper-alpha}}
			{{Cnote2\|a\|Quoting the press release: "Lavdrim Muhaxheri is a Kosovar Albanian foreign fighter for ISIL who operates in both Syria and Iraq. Muhaxheri made international headlines in July 2014 after uploading to Facebook graphic photos of himself beheading a young man."<ref name=FTF>{{cite web\|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters\|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232067.htm\|website=State.gov\|publisher=United States Department of State\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=24 September 2014\|quote=Lavdrim Muhaxheri is a Kosovar Albanian foreign fighter for ISIL who operates in both Syria and Iraq. Muhaxheri made international headlines in July 2014 after uploading to Facebook graphic photos of himself beheading a young man.}}</ref> The State Department and Treasury Department imposed financial sanctions, freezing assets and blocking financial transactions for "Islamist fighters" including Muhaxheri.<ref>{{cite web\|title=U.S. imposes financial sanctions on Islamist fighters\|url=http://news724.com/u-s-imposes-financial-sanctions-on-islamist-fighters/\|website=News724.com\|agency=Reuters\|access-date=14 September 2015\|date=27 September 2014}}</ref> On 2 October 2014, a statement on Muhaxheri by U.S. Secretary of State ] dated 17 September 2014 was published in the ] wherein Muhaxheri was described as a threat to ] ] and, thereby, "blacklisted" from the United States.<ref>{{cite web\|first=John F.\|last=Kerry\|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/10/02/2014-23534/in-the-matter-of-the-designation-of-lavdrim-muhaxheri-also-known-as-ebu-abdullah-el-albani-also \|title=In the Matter of the Designation of Lavdrim Muhaxheri, also known as Ebu Abdullah el Albani, also known as Abu Abdullah al Kosova, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovi, also known as Abu Abdallah al-Kosovo as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224, as Amended \|website=FederalRegister.gov \|date=2 October 2014 \|access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref> }}
			{{Cnote2 End}}

			==References==
	On 19 October 2015 Kosova Press reported that one of the militants in the RPG - video,<ref name=rpgvideo/> purportedly a friend of Muhaxheri, had died a week earlier in an attack on a training camp in Syria.<ref name=bleta/> In the same article it's claimed that media was in disagreement with the militant regarding Lavdrim Muhaxheri's death.<ref name="basri">{{cite web\|work= standardi.eu\|title=Article about Basri Sylejmani commenting on media reports of Muhaxheri's death\|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.standardi.eu%2Fsq%2FLajme%2FLavdrim-Muhaxheri-sh%25C3%25ABndosh-e-mir%25C3%25AB-%2528Foto%2529\|date=19 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="bleta">{{cite web\|first=Bleta\|last =Gashi\|work= GazetaExpress.com\|title=Article about the death of Basri Sylejmani in october 2015\|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/lajme/ekskluzive-vritet-ne-siri-basri-sylejmani-shoku-i-ngushte-i-lavdrim-muhaxherit-138374/&prev=search\|date=19 October 2015}}</ref> During 2014 Lavdrim Muhaxheri was claimed to still be alive on several occasions based on information claimed by Kosova Press to be taken from IS militants' Facebook accounts.<ref name=telegrafi/><ref name=tema2/>
			{{reflist}}

			==Sources==
	On 29 September 2015 Kosova Press<ref>{{cite web\|work= GazetaExpress.com \|title=Article about video of Lavdrim Muhaxheri allegedly speaking outside a university in Pristina, Kosovo\|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazetaexpress.com%2Flajme%2Flavdrim-muhaxheri-ne-mes-te-prishtines-serbia-erdhi-te-na-e-luftoje-islamin-video-133589%2F \|date=29 September 2015}}</ref> published images from a ] -post from 31 August 2015<ref>{{cite web\|title=Video with Lavdrim Muhaxheri alongside Naman Demolli on Liveleak\|url=http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=700_1440993370\|date=31 August 2015}}</ref> containing an older video with Lavdrim Muhaxheri alongside KLA - member Naman Demolli, taken prior to Demolli's death which was confirmed to be no later than in August 2012.<ref name="xhymshiti">{{cite web\|first=Vedat\|last=Xhymshiti\|title=Article about Naman Demolli's death\|url= http://gazetajnk.com/?cid=1,983,4065\|date=9 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="demolli2">{{cite web\|work=Telegraphi.com\|title=Article about Naman Demolli's death published by Telegraphi in 2012\|url= https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/xhihadi-i-namanit-2-26387.html&prev=search\|date=13 November 2012}}</ref>
			*{{cite web\|last=Paraszczuk\|first=Joanna\|title=Report Finds Alarming Outflow Of Kosovars To Islamic State \|date=15 April 2015a\|work=Tracking Islamic State\|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty\|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/islamic-state-kosovars-fighting-syria-iraq/26957463.html}}
			*{{cite web\|last=Paraszczuk\|first=Joanna\|title='Dead' Kosovar Albanian IS Militant Resurfaces In Gruesome Killing Video\|date=26 May 2015b\|work=Tracking Islamic State\|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty\|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/dead-kosovar-albanian-militant-resurfaces-gruesome-killing-video/27037461.html}}
			*{{cite web\|last1=Likmeta\|first1=Besar\|last2=Zogjani\|first2=Nektar\|title=Jihadist's Beheading Photos Shock Kosovo\|date=July 31, 2014\|work=News\|publisher=Balkan Insight\|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albanian-jihadists-beheading-photos-spark-outrage}}
			*{{cite web\|author=Gazeta Express\|title=Who is Lavdrim Muhaxheri?\|date=August 20, 2014\|work=News\|publisher=Gazeta Express\|url=http://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/news/who-is-lavdrim-muhaxheri-69-37296/?archive=1}}
			*{{cite news\|last=Schwartz\|first=Stephen\|date=8 December 2014\|title=ISIS and the Kosovar Albanians\|work=Huffington Post\|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-schwartz/isis-and-the-kosovar-alba_b_5670061.html}}

			==External links==
	Between 27 November 2015 - 2 December 2015 Balkan media reported claims of Lavdrim Muhaxheri hiding in various towns around Skopje in Macedonia.<ref>{{cite news\|title="Macedonia: Police searches Skopje's surrounding area for executioner from Syria"\|url=http://www.independent.mk/articles/24982/Macedonia+Police+Search+Skopje's+Surrounding+Area+for+Executioner+from+Syria\|work=www.independent.mk\|date=2 December 2015}}</ref>
			*{{cite web\|author=Interpol\|title=Muhaxheri, Lavdrim: Wanted by the judicial authorities of Under UNMIK Mandate (Kosovo) for prosecution / to serve a sentence\|url=http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-43350\|website=Interpol.int\|access-date=14 September 2015\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924052400/http://www.interpol.int/notice/search/wanted/2014-43350\|archive-date=24 September 2015\|url-status=dead}}
	Some media reports claimed that Lavdrim Muhaxheri was hiding behind the name "Boban Decipi",<ref>{{cite news\|title=Exclusive: Lavdrim Muhaxheri changes name to Boban Decipi\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://tesheshi.com/ekskluzive-lavdrim-muhaxheri-nderron-identitet-quhet-dhe-boban-depic-kater-kosovare-te-shpallur-te-vrare-ne-siri-jane-gjalle-ja-emrat/&prev=search\|work=www.tesheshi.com\|date=27 November 2015}}</ref> stated in the articles to be based on information from unnamed sources in intelligence services. These claims were denounced by Macedonian police department who, in a public interview, stated that they had no information indicative of Lavdrim Muhaxheri being in Macedonia.<ref>{{cite news\|title="Police dismiss reports that Jihadi Lavdrim Muhaxheri is in the region"\|url=http://www.kosovapress.com/en/security/policia-seshte-e-vertet-se-lavdim-muhagjeri-eshte-ne-rajon-57888/\|work=www.kosovapress.com\|date=1 December 2015}}</ref>

			{{Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant}}
	On 2 December 2015 Balkan media reported that Lavdrim Muhaxheri was physically paralyzed and in "a grave condition" in Syria and that the previous reports about Lavdrim Muhaxheri being in the Balkans were incorrect. This information is stated to be from unnamed sources within foreign intelligence.
	<ref>{{cite news\|title=Lavdrim Muhaxheri allegedly paralyzed in Syria\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.telegrafi.com/lajme/lavdrim-muhaxheri-dyshohet-se-ka-mbetur-i-paralizuar-ne-siri-2-76214.html&prev=search\|work=www.telegrafi.com\|date=2 December 2015}}</ref>

	On 22 December 2015 Italien media reported that Lavdrim Muhaxheri had been arrested in his hometown Kačanik by Russian secret service - agents in an anti - terror operation. The report was denounced by Kosova authorities.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Article about Lavdrim Muhaxheri being arrested in his hometown Kačanik\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.panorama.com.al/le-iene-lavdrim-muhaxheri-kapet-ne-kacanik-per-rrezimin-e-avionit-rus/&prev=search\|work=www.panorama.com\|date=22 December 2015}}</ref>

	On 27 December 2015 a post on an unnamed social media channel titled "Iran's Rouhani urges Muslim countries to unite" emerged with an undated video from ]' archive attached. <ref>{{cite news\|title=Article about Euronews video\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://www.panorama.com.al/muhaxheri-permes-euronews-mesazh-mediave-qe-raportuan-se-vdiq56/&prev=search\|work=www.panorama.com\|date=27 December 2015}}</ref>
	One of the men in the video was, by some media outlets, assumed to be Lavdrim Muhaxheri and this sparked further medial speculation about whether Lavdrim Muhaxheri might be alive or not.<ref>{{cite news\|title=Is Lavdrim Muhaxheri alive?\|url=https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=en&sl=sq&u=http://infokusi.com/lavdrim-muhaxheri-eshte-gjalle-fotovideo/&prev=search\|work=www.infokusi.com\|date=27 December 2015}}</ref> The video had been added as a segment at the end of a broadcast speech by ]'s president ] on Islamic State at the 29th International Islamic Unity Conference on 27 December 2015, which was published by, amongst others, Euronews. <ref name=Euronews>{{cite news\|title=Iran’s Rouhani urges Muslim countries to unite\|url= http://www.euronews.com/2015/12/27/iran-s-rouhani-urges-muslim-countries-to-unite/\|work=www.euronews.com\|date=27 December 2015}}</ref>

	As of May 2015, footage alleged to be of Lavdrim Muhaxheri, except for a video published by Memri TV and a video of Lavdrim Muhaxheri alongside late Kosovo Liberation Army(KLA) member Naman Demolli, remains unverified as to when it was taken, where it was taken and whether it indeed depicts Lavdrim Muhaxheri, or if another militant with a similar appearance is merely emulating Lavdrim Muhaxheri.<ref name=Paraszczuk>{{cite news\|last1=Paraszczuk\|first1=Joanna\|title='Dead' Kosovar Albanian IS Militant Resurfaces In Gruesome Killing Video\|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/dead-kosovar-albanian-militant-resurfaces-gruesome-killing-video/27037461.html\|accessdate=5 October 2015\|work=Radio Free Europe\|date=26 May 2015}}</ref>

	== Muhaxheri's impact on the state of Kosovo ==
	In August 2014 Kosovo mobilized to fight religious radicalism, also referred to as "]" and "]", and terrorism by arresting around forty citizens who were suspected of engaging in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.<ref name=Osservatorio>{{cite web\|last1=Kelmendi\|first1=Violeta Hyseni\|title=Kosovo mobilizes to fight religious radicalism and terrorism\|url=http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Regions-and-countries/Kosovo/Kosovo-mobilizes-to-fight-religious-radicalism-and-terrorism-155153\|website=Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=25 August 2014}}</ref>

	Muhaxheri's actions prompted a new ] law prohibiting the teaching of wahhabism in Kosovo. This led to the arrest of several imams within Islamic Community of Kosova (ICK).<ref name="Osservatorio"/>

	== The U.S blacklisting of Muhaxheri==
	On 24 September 2014, the ] (DoS) designated Muhaxheri as a global terrorist.<ref name=FTF>{{cite web\|title=Designations of Foreign Terrorist Fighters\|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/09/232067.htm\|website=State.gov\|publisher=United States Department of State\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=24 September 2014}}</ref> The listing was prompted by his affiliation with ] (IS) as well as the footage of the alleged beheading he posted to Facebook July 2014.<ref name=FTF/> In praxis the listing means that it's an offense to provide financial support or expert advice to a person on the list.<ref>{{cite web\|last1=Masi\|first1=Alessandra\|title=New Terrorist Groups In Syria: What Does It Mean If The US State Department Puts You On The Terrorist List\|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/new-terrorist-groups-syria-what-does-it-mean-if-us-state-department-puts-you-terrorist-1694668\|website=]\|accessdate=14 September 2015\|date=24 September 2014}}</ref>

	On 2 October 2014, a statement on Muhaxheri by U.S. Secretary of State ] dated 17 September 2014 was published in the ] wherein Muhaxheri was described as a threat to ] ] and, thereby, "blacklisted" from the United States.<ref name=Kerry/>


	==References==
	{{reflist\|30em}}

	==External links==
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