Experts on countries of origin by country

Dimitris Dalakoglou is a Full Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is a widely cited scholar on Balkan studies. His research focuses on Albania and Greece, and he has authored more than one hundred publications, including expert reports, book monographs, peer-reviewed articles, and documentary films. His work has been featured in several international media outlets, including the BBC, The Guardian, Channel 4, and The Washington Times. He has served for several years as a Country of Origin Information (COI) expert on Albania and Greece and has provided expert evidence in a number of legal cases in the United Kingdom and the United States, including country guidance cases before the Upper Tribunal.

N'Deane Helajzen is a Serbian-Australian anthropologist and leading expert in human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment, with a particular focus on conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, international humanitarian law, refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), ethnic conflict, and genocide. She is the founder and director of Ethnovision, a storytelling agency based between Belgrade and Sarajevo, dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalised communities.

With over 25 years of experience, N'Deane has worked in 32 countries—primarily post-conflict regions across the Asia-Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe. Her expertise spans advising governments, multilateral agencies, and international organisations on refugee issues, minority rights, and inter-ethnic relations, offering practical, strategic insights informed by years of hands-on experience.

N'Deane has also contributed expert country reports for asylum and immigration cases, specialising in LGBTQI+ rights, political oppression, social discrimination, human trafficking, and sexual and gender-based violence. Her reports have been instrumental in successful refugee claims from the former Yugoslavia (Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia and… Read more

With a robust foundation in international relations, law, and political science, I am a distinguished expert witness specializing in Balkan affairs. My career is characterized by a deep commitment to understanding the intricate geopolitical dynamics and legal frameworks that shape this vibrant region. My academic pursuits culminated in a prestigious certification in Law from the University of Oxford, where I honed my expertise in international law, human rights, and cross-border legal issues. Professionally, I have collaborated with NATO on defense and international policy initiatives, providing valuable insights into Balkan geopolitics. My participation in European Union election conferences has allowed me to engage in high-level discussions on the political shifts affecting the region. Additionally, my roles as a Leasing Administrator and Legal Advisor have equipped me with practical experience in legal documentation and corporate governance. Driven by a passion for advancing understanding in the complex political landscape of the Balkans, I leverage my extensive education and practical experience to provide expert testimony and consultancy in this dynamic field.

International Lawyer (LLB, LLM) | Country of Origin Information Specialist | Expert Witness

UK-based international lawyer, political scientist, and expert witness with over 20 years of experience in immigration, asylum, human rights, and Country of Origin Information (COI) research. Educated at the University of Prishtina and the University of Kent, with specialist expertise in International Law, International Relations, immigration law, and geopolitical risk assessment.

Author of more than 350 expert reports for UK Immigration and Asylum Tribunals, Extradition Courts, Crown Courts, and other judicial proceedings. Regularly instructed by solicitors, barristers, and courts to provide independent expert evidence on country conditions, political developments, human rights issues, and risk on return assessments.

Specialist areas of expertise include blood feuds, honour-based violence, human trafficking, modern slavery, forced labour, domestic abuse, organised crime, political persecution, human rights violations, torture, and inhuman or degrading treatment. Particular regional expertise in Western Balkans focusing on Albania and Kosovo.

Accredited by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) between 2005 and 2012 to provide regulated… Read more

The Expert is a former Independent Contractor for the U.S. Embassy in London, specializing in political and media monitoring, screening, and translation. With a background that includes roles in both administration and education, the Expert has also served as a Lecturer at university colleges in Kosovo. His career reflects a broad range of experience in political monitoring and related fields. As a country of origin expert witness, he has authored over 100 expert reports in the past four years and brings 23 years of professional experience to the role.

I am an experienced country expert on Albania and other Western Balkan countries, including Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. During 2024 and 2025, I have been engaged by various British solicitors to conduct research and draft country conditions reports on Albania and Kosovo. In doing so, I have drafted over 50 country-expert reports on various immigration cases involving Albanian and Kosovan nationals.

As country expert for the Balkan region, I bring over 25 years of diverse experience in government, academia, international development, media, peacebuilding and political analysis. I have worked extensively across Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia in my roles as Chief Political Advisor to the Prime Minister of Kosovo, journalist and editor at the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, and analyst for Freedom House and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy. I have a PhD in political science from the University of Galway, Ireland, a master’s degree in international relations from Instituto Universitario Ortega y Gasset, Madrid, Spain, a postgraduate diploma in Law, Development and Social Justice from the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus… Read more

A distinguished legal expert, advisor, and former judge with extensive experience in international diplomacy, public administration, and government tenders within the Balkans region. A former advisor to the office of the President and a legal consultant for major governmental and international organizations, the expert brings unparalleled expertise in navigating the complexities of the Balkan legal and political landscapes. The expert’s career is defined by his leadership in high-level negotiations, capacity-building for public institutions, and contributions to the stabilization and development of the region.