UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 22, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

15 years since ICJ ruled Kosovo independence didn’t violate intl law (media)
Kurti: ICJ opinion one of most inspiring moments in international relations (media)
Kusari Lila calls for an end to the political deadlock (RTK)
Rasic: I strongly believe Limaj will accept Kurti’s offer (media)
Osmani hosts Orav, discuss political situation and recent developments (media)
Musliu: Arsenijevic was rewarded with apartment in Serbia by Radoicic (media)
KFOR places warning signs along Kosovo-Serbia ABL (RTK)
Osmani congratulates Belgium on National Day (media)
Kosovo Police arrest Serbian national wanted by Germany (media)
Police Inspectorate publishes report on “responding to citizen calls” (media)
Rohde visits German KFOR troops stationed at Camp Bondsteel (media)
“Radar” on role of Vucic’s ‘praetorian guard’ in arrest of Kosovo policemen (AP)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: I will ask all diplomatic representatives what Popovic said wrong about KLA (media)
French Embassy on Popovic: We are closely monitoring case; call for resumption of dialogue (media)
International representatives in Kosovo monitoring Popovic case, but without stronger condemnation (Kosovo Online)
Stevic: Constant pressure on Serbian community, reports in UN SC necessary to show real picture (Kosovo Online)
KFOR installs new and replaces old signs along ABL (Radio KIM, media)
Defense lawyers in Banjska case: Today’s witnesses did not mention Dusan Maksimovic and Vladimir Tolic (media)
Dragan Ristic from Djakovica pleaded not guilty in a hearing today (media)
Hearing in tear-gas case against Svecla and others adjourned again (media)
Serbian Government to mark first 100 days in office in Knjazevac Friday (Tanjug)

International:

Kosovo’s premier signals possible coalition may end deadlock (Bloomberg)
In Kosovo, municipal elections remain a man’s word (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

15 years since ICJ ruled Kosovo independence didn’t violate intl law (media)

Several news websites report that today marks 15 years since the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that the declaration of Kosovo’s independence did not violate international law. Members of the ICJ in the Hague ruled in Kosovo’s favor and rejected Serbia’s claim that international law was violated. The opinion was read by then-President of the ICJ, Hisashi Ovada.

Some news websites cover a Facebook post by Kosovo’s Embassy in the Hague which notes that “on this historic anniversary, we proudly present a special video documentary reflecting on the International Court of Justice’s landmark 2010 Advisory Opinion on Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence. 15 years later, its legal, political, and diplomatic significance continues to shape international discourse. Join us in revisiting the journey, the voices, and the impact of this pivotal moment in modern international law, through the views of several diplomats, international lawyers and academicians”. Full documentary at: https://shorturl.at/dFhsw

Kurti: ICJ opinion one of most inspiring moments in international relations (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, on the 15th anniversary of the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the declaration of Kosovo’s independence, said that “it gave light to the final recognition of the right of the people of Kosovo to state-formation, self-determination and freedom”. “It will remain an act of sealing the legality of Kosovo’s independence in international law, proof of the international legitimacy of the right of the people of Kosovo for self-determination and an act that confirmed Serbia’s chauvinistic and colonizing approach against the Albanian people of Kosovo. The Advisory Opinion is one of the most inspiring moments in international relations, because it gives hope and will to freedom-loving people that justice for their cause can finally triumph. The legal value of this Opinion will without a doubt serve generations of lawyers as a lesson on principle and ethics in establishing and interpreting universal values. It will also remain a lesson for Serbia which hastily lobbied in the UN General Assembly to ask the Court about the legality of the independence of our Republic. Its hastiness turned into a great loss of Serbian politics, and also symbolically a memory to the victims of colonization, systematic discrimination of its genocide,” Kurti said.

Kusari Lila calls for an end to the political deadlock (RTK)

Mimoza Kusari-Lila, leader of the Alternativa party (in coalition with Vetevendosje), has called on all political parties in Kosovo to overcome the current institutional deadlock and avoid deepening divisions in the Assembly. Speaking on the 8^th anniversary of Alternativa, she stressed the need for unity and warned against internal loss of trust.

She also announced that Alternativa will participate in local elections in six municipalities, including Pristina and Mitrovica, and will field mayoral candidates in three of them. Over the years, Alternativa has contested multiple local and national elections, both independently and in coalitions (with LDK in 2017 and with LVV in 2019, 2021, and 2025). A final ceremony marking the party’s anniversary will be held on Friday.

Rasic: I strongly believe Limaj will accept Kurti’s offer (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister for Communities and Returns and MP, Nenad Rasic, said in an interview with TeVe1 today that he strongly believes that NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj will accept Vetevendosje leader and caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s offer for an agreement. “Knowing Limaj I believe that he will be pragmatic, and he will accept an offer from the discussions he had with Kurti. I strongly believe, not to say I am certain, that Limaj will accept Kurti’s offer,” he said.

Osmani hosts Orav, discuss political situation and recent developments (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met with EU Head of Office in Kosovo Aivo Orav with whom she discussed the current political situation in the country and recent developments. “The focus of the meeting was the issue of the constitution of the ninth legislature of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, the next steps, the impact of the non-constitution on important processes for the country, as well as on relations with the European Union. President Osmani and Ambassador Orav also discussed a number of issues related to relations between Kosovo and the EU, where the President reiterated the importance of the complete removal of unfair measures still in force, as well as the handling of Kosovo’s application for the status of candidate country,” a press release issued by Osmani’s office notes.

Musliu: Arsenijevic was rewarded with apartment in Serbia by Radoicic (media)

Several news websites report that Agim Musliu, chairman of the Board of the Pristina-based OCTOPUS Institute of Hybrid Warfare Studies, said in a Facebook post on Monday evening that Aleksandar Arsenijevic was rewarded with an apartment in Serbia by Milan Radoicic. The latter had claimed responsibility for the September 2023 attack on Kosovo Police in the north of Kosovo which resulted in the killing of police sergeant Afrim Bunjaku. “Aleksandar Arsenijevic, the so-called ‘opponent’ of the Serb List, was rewarded with an apartment in Serbia by Milan Radoicic. After fleeing to Serbia, it seems Aleksandar Arsenijevic did not go unrewarded for successfully completing his tasks! He was accommodated in an apartment in the town of Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia—an apartment personally gifted to him by Milan Radoicic as a “thank you” for his role and efforts in destabilizing the situation in Kosovo. Arsenijevic, who for years was known as a civil society activist, was in fact assisting behind the scenes in the implementation of Belgrade’s destabilizing agendas in northern Kosovo. Even today, Arsenijevic continues to receive financial support from Serb illegal structures. During a police raid in June at his villa in the village of Vallaq, a full arsenal of weapons was discovered. The villa was built by the company ‘RAD 028’, which is on the U.S. sanctions list. Officially managed by Radule Stevic, the company is in fact owned by Milan Radoicic. This villa had previously been used by the so-called “Civil Protection” and ‘Severna Brigada’ to monitor the Kosovo Police and KFOR. These facts highlight Serbia’s and Radoicic’s continuous efforts to exploit certain organizations and individuals among Kosovo Serbs for the purposes of destabilization and propaganda against the façade of ‘civil society activists’,” Musliu writes in the post.

KFOR places warning signs along Kosovo-Serbia ABL (RTK)

KFOR has announced that it is installing new warning signs and updating older ones along the Kosovo-Serbia ABL to improve visibility and reduce the risk of unintentional crossings. The signs are being placed to alert people that they are approaching the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL). KFOR emphasized that this activity reflects its impartial commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all communities in Kosovo. Due to the mountainous and forested terrain, these signs aim to clearly mark KFOR’s operational zone and help minimize the risk of accidental crossings. The installation will continue in the coming weeks.

Osmani congratulates Belgium on National Day (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, in a post on X, congratulated the King, the Prime Minister and people of Belgium on their National Day. “Kosovo values our strong friendship and shared commitment to democracy, peace, and European unity. We look forward to further deepening our partnership for the benefit of our citizens,” Osmani said.

Kosovo Police arrest Serbian national wanted by Germany (media)

Most news websites report that Kosovo Police have arrested a Serbian national at the Hani i Elezit crossing. The suspect is wanted by German authorities to serve a 15-year prison sentence for criminal offences committed there.

Police Inspectorate publishes report on “responding to citizen calls” (media)

Several news websites report that the Kosovo Police Inspectorate published an inspection report today titled “Responding to citizen calls and reporting police activities”. The key findings of the report note that “for several years, the PIK has been seriously treating citizens' calls for help and response. In 2022, the PIK conducted an extended inspection, which was extended to all public order police stations. During the inspection, weaknesses, difficulties and challenges were identified, therefore a number of recommendations were given, the fulfillment of which is the focus of this next inspection. It is known that the Police, during its police activity, collects various information, in terms of preventing and investigating criminal activity, and improving the security situation in general. A large number of information are calls from citizens and institutions, requiring a response, in response to events that have occurred or are expected to occur. Calls require treatment and the appropriate path of their circulation must be followed, so that they can be reacted to as quickly as possible. The RPDs have regulated the system for internal and external communication, in written, verbal and electronic form. Within the directorates, RCOCs function as centers for collecting and distributing information on all incidents occurring within the area of responsibility, including those coming from the OCCC and centers - stations in other regions. Regarding coordination, the QRCOC maintains constant contacts and coordinates the work with the stations, units within the RPD, municipal services and other agencies at local, regional and central levels”. Read full report at: https://tinyurl.com/yy4zjytb

Rohde visits German KFOR troops stationed at Camp Bondsteel (media)

Several news websites cover a Facebook post by the German Embassy in Kosovo about Ambassador Jorn Rohde’s visit to German KFOR troops stationed at Camp Bondsteel near Ferizaj. “It felt a bit like a homecoming,” shared Ambassador Rohde, recalling his time in Germany’s Strandmeisterkompanie back in the 1980s. A few days ago, he and his Deputy Christian Böttcher visited the German KFOR troops stationed at Camp Bondsteel near Ferizaj, where they were given a detailed briefing on current missions, operational capabilities, and the technical equipment used during patrols and border observations along the Kosovo–Serbia boundary. From modern armored vehicles to advanced surveillance systems, the Ambassador was impressed by the precision, professionalism, and dedication that the troops demonstrated in fulfilling KFOR’s mandate. A personal highlight: retaking the controls of an Ahlmann swivel loader - now modernized, but still familiar from his service decades ago. A sincere thank-you to all the German soldiers serving here. Your work is vital, your expertise remarkable, and your commitment deeply appreciated. Past meets present - where shared service continues to shape peace and security in Kosovo,” the post notes.

“Radar” on role of Vucic’s ‘praetorian guard’ in arrest of Kosovo policemen (AP)

The news website reports that Radar, one of the main investigative platforms in Serbia, has published research exposing the composition of the Security Unit of the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs, including its role in the arrest of three Kosovo police officers in 2023. The focus of the research is Marko Kricak, a former salesman of luxury vehicles at the Porsche in Belgrade, who has climbed to the top of the commander of the Security Unit thanks to ties with controversial businessman from the north of Kosovo, Zvonko Veselinovic, and with the support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. The police unit, which according to Radar has over 1,000 members, often operates outside institutional controls. One of the “actions” of the Security Unit was also the arrest of three Kosovo policemen along the border between Kosovo and Serbia. Unnamed sources also told Radar that the unit has turned into a kind of a “praetorian guard” in the service of protecting Vucic’s regime or into an informal security unit within the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic: I will ask all diplomatic representatives what Popovic said wrong about KLA (media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said today the arrest of Assistant Director Igor Popovic was not “an ordinary arrest”, but rather a kidnapping of a Serbian Government official. Noting that almost no one from the international community reacted, Petkovic added his first question for all diplomatic representatives he is ought to meet in the upcoming period will be – what did Popovic say wrong when he called criminals from KLA terrorists?

Petkovic clarified Popovic spoke concretely about the Orahovac Group case related to the sufferings of Serbs in Orahovac for which there is a proceeding ongoing in the Specialist Court for KLA crimes in the Hague.

He added Popovic visited Kosovo three times in the last month alone, and that the agreement on official visits does not apply to him, which, he points out, some in the EU are trying to impose in order to justify the fact that they did not react in the right way and did not help his release.

“(…) If my assistant is banned from telling the truth, if the assistant of the chief negotiator in the dialogue is arrested and kidnapped, what message does it send about the dialogue? Where is (EU special envoy) Peter Sorensen and all others to speak out and call for immediate release of Igor Popovic”, Petkovic said.

He also commented on the 50^th failed attempt to establish the Kosovo Assembly. “They are not able to form the parliament, let alone the government. Kurti is nervous and attempts to conceal that by attacking Serbs, closing Serbian institutions, attacking Aleksandar Vucic, arresting Popovic”, Petkovic said.

“If someone still cares about normalization of relations, this terror must stop”, he concluded.

French Embassy on Popovic: We are closely monitoring case; call for resumption of dialogue (media)

Responding to Kosovo Online media inquiry on the arrest and 30-day detention rendered to Igor Popovic, Office for Kosovo and Metohija Assistant Director, the French Embassy in Pristina said they are "closely monitoring the case".

“We are closely monitoring this case and expect it to be handled with full respect for the rule of law and legal procedures. We call for a resumption of the EU-facilitated dialogue and strongly urge all parties to refrain from any initiative that would not serve this goal”, reads response from the Embassy.

International representatives in Kosovo monitoring Popovic case, but without stronger condemnation (Kosovo Online)

The 30-day detention of Igor Popovic, Assistant Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, due to his statements about the KLA, is considered by official Belgrade a scandalous decision. According to Belgrade, Albin Kurti, unable to resolve the crisis in the Pristina parliament and ahead of local elections, is seeking to provoke conflict and continue his crackdown on Serbs. While Belgrade is demanding a response and condemnation of the arrest from the international community, the replies from some of its representatives in Pristina to Kosovo Online have been rather mild. This time, as the portal said at the time the article was published, reactions from EU representatives in Pristina and Brussels, as well as from the US in Kosovo and Washington, were absent.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/2EdDt

KFOR installs new and replaces old signs along ABL (Radio KIM, media)

NATO-led international military forces, KFOR, have started an activity to improve visibility along Administrative Boundary Line (ABL) by installing new and replacing the old signs, Radio KIM reported.

The goal of this measure is to reduce the risk of unintentional crossing of people across the ABL, KFOR said in a statement. KFOR also pointed out such activities represent their impartial contribution to the preservation of a safe and secure environment for all communities in Kosovo.

The Mission continues to implement the mandate of the United Nations in close cooperation with the Kosovo police and EULEX, in accordance with their security roles, the statement concluded.

Defense lawyers in Banjska case: Today’s witnesses did not mention Dusan Maksimovic and Vladimir Tolic (media)

The trial in the Banjska case continued today at the Basic Court in Pristina with the hearing of two witnesses. Defense lawyers of defendants in this case, Jovana Filipovic and Milos Delevic told the media after the hearing, that witnesses today did not mention either Dusan Maksimovic nor Vladimir Tolic.

Filipovic said the second witness R.N., in a hearing confirmed Dusan Maksimovic worked in Rajska Banja spa complex in Banjska village and is not connected with the attack that took place in this village.

"As for the first witness, he did not have any knowledge about the persons tried in this proceeding, but he made statements based on what he saw. As for the second witness, he presented information regarding the attack, when he was an employee of the Rajska Banja complex, he told the court what he saw and heard. We paid particular attention to this witness because Dusan Maksimović was an employee of this spa complex. We are sure testimony of the second witness confirms what Dusan has been claiming from the beginning of the proceedings", Filipovic said. She added defense proposed other witnesses to the court who will confirm where and what Dusan Maksimovic was doing, in order to confirm he had no connection with the attack that happened.

Milos Delevic, representing Vladimir Tolic said witnesses heard today did not mention Vladimir Tolic either.

“By not mentioning him, they confirmed what we had been claiming since the beginning and it is that Tolic had a minor role in those events. These testimonies do not have evidence value in relation to Vladimir Tolic’s (accountability)”, Delevic said.

Dragan Ristic from Djakovica pleaded not guilty in a hearing today (media)

Dragan Ristic from Djakovica accused of allegedly committing war crimes in this city pleaded not guilty in a hearing at the Basic Court in Pristina today.

According to the indictment, Ristic allegedly took part “in murders, physical and psychological mistreatments on May 10, 1999, arrests as well as inhuman treatment, expulsion, property plundering and destruction”. Upon hearing the indictment Ristic said he is not guilty for the crimes he is accused of.

76-year old Ristic was arrested on February 25, this year, at Jarinje crossing point while he was on the way to Djakovica with his son to extend his Kosovo documents. Previously he visited Kosovo from central Serbia where he was displaced dozens of times.

Hearing in tear-gas case against Svecla and others adjourned again (media)

Hearing in the case involving the Self-determination Movement MPs, Xhelal Svecla, Fitore Pacolli, Salih Ziba and Drita Milaku accused of discharging tear gas in Kosovo Assembly on March 21, 2018 has been adjourned due to absence of prosecutor Valdrin Krasniqi.

Svecla, Pacolli, Ziba and MIlaku were present in the courtroom today.

Previously, the hearing scheduled on July 2 was not held as Pacolli was absent. She claimed back then she did not receive an official summon for the hearing.

The indictment against Svecla, Pacolli, Ziba and Milaku was raised on July 26, 2019.

Serbian Government to mark first 100 days in office in Knjazevac Friday (Tanjug)

The Government of Serbia will mark its first 100 days in office in Knjazevac, eastern Serbia, on July 25, the government announced on Monday, Tanjug news agency reported.

The occasion will be marked with a series of visits to southern and eastern Serbia on Thursday, July 24, and Friday, July 25. The main event will be held in Knjazevac on July 25.

The government, composed of Prime Minister Djuro Macut and 30 ministers, was elected on April 16, succeeding the cabinet of Milos Vucevic.

International

Kosovo’s premier signals possible coalition may end deadlock (Bloomberg)

Kosovo’s prime minister opened the door to a power-sharing agreement with a small opposition party to break a political deadlock that’s left the country without a functioning parliament for nearly four months.

“We’ve expressed our interest and readiness to co-govern with the Social Democratic Initiative,” Prime Minister Albin Kurti told reporters on Monday, confirming he made an offer during a weekend meeting. But talks are still ongoing, he said without elaborating.