APPREHENDED
- Full name: Kastriot Matoshi
- Pseudonym: N/a
- Alternatives: N/a
- Location: Belgium
- Affiliation: Dibrani, Imishti and Matoshi Network [DIMN]
Kastriot Matoshi (°ca 1992) is a shadowy Roma Islamist from Bosnia or Kosovo and long-time illegal resident of Flemish city of Sint-Niklaas.1 His brother died while fighting on the side the jihadi forces in Syria.2 Matoshi has long been active on social media where he spread propaganda for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [DaIISh; Dawlat al-Islamiya fi-Iraq] and maintained contacts to jihadi elements from the Balkan region.3
Matoshi eventually helped form the informal Dibrani, Imishti and Matoshi Network [DIMN]. Together with his associates, he raised funds to DaIISh operatives in Syria and provided logistical support to jihadis traveling between Europe and the Middle East.4 Matoshi apparently served as the de-facto leader of the DIMN.5
On Dec. 06, 2016, police arrested Matoshi and his wife at their home during a series of raids on premises linked to the DIMN.6 At the time of his capture, he was reportedly planning to go to Syria to coordinate the network’s fundraising.7 In February 2018, Matoshi was sentenced to more than four years imprisonment.8
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