Kosovo Assembly adopts amendments on special court (dailies)
The Kosovo Assembly yesterday adopted the constitutional amendments that enable the formation of the special court, with 82 votes in favour, 5 against and one abstention. The plenary session, which lasted about nine hours, saw harsh debates and insults between MPs, some of them even making references to alleged murders and crimes. Prime Minister Isa Mustafa said that the special court is a challenge that Kosovo must face as a country that has embraced the European values of democracy. The leaders of opposition parties opposed the establishment of this court by not voting and said that this court would be harmful to Kosovo and the war of the former Kosovo Liberation Army. The Assembly also adopted the draft law on the Specialized Chambers and the draft law on the legal protection and the financial support of the potential defendants in the proceedings of the Specialized Chambers.
Mogherini welcomes Assembly’s decision on special court (dailies)
The European Union High Representative, Federica Mogherini, has welcomed the decision of the Assembly of Kosovo to adopt the constitutional amendments on special court. “Today’s adoption of the constitutional amendments and the Law on Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in the Kosovo Assembly is a crucial step in the provision of a necessary legal framework for addressing serious allegations, stemming from the Council of Europe report, as well as commitments noted in the Exchange of Letters, ratified by the Kosovo Assembly in 2014. While recognising that this step by MPs of the Kosovo Assembly was not easy, it is a sign of responsibility and determination to establish the truth and make decisions compatible with Kosovo’s European path. The EU is dedicated to providing assistance in this process and to continue working with parties involved to complete the process of establishing the necessary legal mechanisms so that independent and fair trial can take place in foreseeable future,” said the press release.
EU embassies welcome adoption of special court amendments (dailies)
European Union embassies in Kosovo and the EU Special Representative have welcomed the decision of the Kosovo Assembly to adopt the constitutional amendments that enable the establishment of the special court. “With this action, the Kosovo Assembly and government have demonstrated their commitment to the rule of law and international agreements,” said a press statement issued by the EU Office in Pristina.
Delawie: Special court, important for rule of law (Indeksonline)
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, commended Kosovo for adopting the constitutional amendments and the law on special court. “The establishment of the special court is very important for Kosovo’s international standing and the rule of law,” Delawie wrote on his Twitter account.
President Jahjaga applauds vote on special court (dailies)
Kosovo’s President, Atifete Jahjaga, welcomed the decision of the Kosovo Assembly to promulgate the constitutional amendments on establishment of the special court, as a fulfilment of Kosovo’s international obligations. “President Jahjaga considers that the establishment of the special court, based upon the legislative framework, demonstrates Kosovo’s dedication to a fair justice system. Jahjaga points out that the special court will address the allegations raised by the Council of Europe report and will not pass judgment on Kosovo’s collective endeavours for liberation and freedom,” noted a press release sent by Jahjaga’s Office.
UK: Special court headquarters to be in Hague (Koha)
The news site reports that in his welcoming reaction, the UK Foreign Minister David Liddington said that the headquarters of the special court will be in the Hague. The Kosovo Assembly has voted through laws needed to establish a special court to investigate allegations of war crimes in Kosovo arising from the 1999 conflict. “Kosovo has agreed to establish an international tribunal (the Special Court) in The Hague to hear the cases, with the EU providing funding,” Liddington said.
Journalist publishes names of potential special court suspects (Koha)
Pristina-based journalist Milaim Zeka published on his Facebook page on Monday the names of four people who, according to him, would be the first ones to be accused by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office. According to Zeka, the names of the suspects are: Bislim Zyrapi, the former head of the KLA general headquarters; Ilaz Derguti, a former KLA combatant; Ajvaz Berisha, currently working at the Kosovo Embassy in Frankfurt, and Blerim Kuci, former Mayor of Suhareka and senior official of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK).
Serbian List rejects support for potential indictees (Kosova Sot)
The paper reports that the Serbian List is against the draft law for the legal protection and financial support for the persons to be charged by the special court. Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic said yesterday that Serbs do not support this draft law, “because if they are found guilty, this means that they have been supported by the state.”
Albanian mountaineers attacked by Serb armed group (dailies)
Several dailies report that three Kosovo Albanian and a Slovak mountaineer were attacked by a group of armed Serbs on early Sunday morning as they were attempting to traverse the Sharr mountain range starting from Luboten Peak. One of the mountaineers suffered some injuries at the hand of one attacker but there were no casualties. The group allegedly insulted the mountaineers on ethnic basis and threatened to kill them. A fellow mountaineer from FYROM and several local Serbs came to the aid of the mountaineers and helped them leave the site.
