Albanian Language Media:

• Espionage challenging the security of Kosovo (RFE)
• KDI: If govt not formed within 60 days, new elections must be held (EO)
• Balje: I don’t want to cooperate with Kurti, I do not trust him (media)
• MoJ: Over €32 mil paid for defense of ex KLA leaders, over €5 mil for Thaci (Koha)
• MoJ avoids main issue, whether funding for Thaci was rejected (Klan)
• Prosecutor requests closed hearing in Banjska case due to sensitivity (media)
• “It is possible that an unfriendly country can ignite fires in Kosovo” (KTV)
• Costa: EU is actively following treatment of Albanian community in Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric once again demands Popovic’s release (media)
• Mijacic: Each day Popovic spends in prison ‘failure of not only EU but also Quint to confront Kurti’s hegemonic actions’ (media, social media)
• Petkovic: Svecla wants to lecture on rule of law and ‘became famous with attacks on EULEX’ (media, social media)
• Defense lawyers in Banjska case say hearings for July concluded, new ones in October (media)
• Agon Maliqi on Xhufka: An Orthodox priest as much as I am a NASA astronaut (KoSSev, social media)
• Minister: New request sent for delay of US sanctions on NIS (Tanjug)
• Vucic receives Chinese ambassador (Tanjug, media)
• Poll shows Vucic trailing by 10 percent (N1)

International:

• The cost of building without oversight (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Espionage challenging the security of Kosovo (RFE)

The news website reports that Kosovo’s security is threatened by cases of espionage linked to Serbian secret services and that recent arrests raise concerns over the level of threats and the readiness of institutions to combat them. 

Bekim Kodraliu, a prosecutor with the Special Prosecution of Kosovo, said that espionage activities pose a direct threat to the legal and constitutional order of Kosovo as well as to the safety of its officials and people. He, however, assures that the Special Prosecution is well prepared and ready to launch investigations at any point into such cases. “While treating such cases, the Prosecution acts in close coordination and cooperation with all security institutions of Kosovo,” he said in an interview with the news website. As a result of this work, Kodraliu highlighted the first verdict for espionage in Kosovo in the case of former police officer Aleksandar Vlajic. 

The Basic Court in Pristina on June 5 sentenced Vlajic to five years in prison after he admitted that he worked as a spy for the Serbian Intelligence and Security Agency. This month, another Kosovo police officer, from the Serb community – Bojan Jevtic - was sent to detention on charges of espionage. Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said that Jevtic was “the six arrested person in espionage cases in Kosovo”. Earlier this year, Radio Free Europe reported on the arrest of Jelena Djukanovic, a Kosovo Serb, charged with espionage. In June last year, Kosovo Police arrested Bedri Shabani and Muharrem Qerimi charged with spying for the Serbian Intelligence and Security Agency.

Radio Free Europe asked the Kosovo Police if Kosovo is faced with an offensive by the Serbian intelligence and how prepared it is to counteract but received no response. 

Kosovo Police General Director Gazmend Hoxha told a press conference on July 22 that the security situation is generally quiet and stable. “We know the objectives of Serbia’s policy, especially its institutions. They were hardly ever in favor of peace and security in our country. We are prepared for any challenges that can happen in our country,” he said.

Valdet Hoxha, a security expert, does not rule out the possibility that the services of unfriendly countries – especially those of Serbia – are using the circumstances. He said that periods of political uncertainty, like the current one in Kosovo, are very favorable for invisible activities like espionage. He also said that these actions are not necessarily new or linked only to the recent period, regardless of the arrests. 

Hoxha, who used to serve as Deputy Minister of Interior Affairs, said that espionage in essence tries to damage Kosovo’s national security. “This activity aims to weaken and compromise the institutions of the state, cause economic damages, incite internal conflicts and other actions, which undermine the normal functioning of the state and create the perception of a failed state,” he said.

Burim Ramadani, former chief inspector of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, said that the Serbian intelligence service will never stop in its efforts to destabilize Kosovo from within, and that it uses all means to undermine Kosovo’s foundations and democracy. “Serbia is continuing its special war against Kosovo, including activities of espionage, sabotage, influence in decision-making and influencing the Serb community,” he argued.

KDI: If govt not formed within 60 days, new elections must be held (EO)

Eugen Cakolli from the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) criticized MPs for their lack of engagement during 51 failed attempts to constitute the Assembly. He emphasized that the 30-day deadline set by the Constitutional Court for forming institutions must be treated as legally binding, not advisory. If the government is not formed within 60 days, new elections should be held—just as they would be for the presidency. Cakolli warned that ignoring these deadlines undermines the Constitution and called for equal accountability across all institutions.

“There is no reason the Assembly should be an exception. If the President is not elected within 60 days—we go to elections. If the Government is not formed within 60 days—we go to elections. It makes no sense to have a 30-day deadline for the Assembly and not go to elections. I believe the Court will uphold the constitutional spirit,” Cakolli said.

Balje: I don’t want to cooperate with Kurti, I do not trust him (media)

The MP from the Bosniak community, Duda Balje, has said that she does not want to cooperate with the leader of Vetevendosje (VV), Albin Kurti. "I don’t want to cooperate with Albin because I don’t trust him. You can’t work with someone you don’t trust, and Albin doesn’t trust me either," said Balje.

She claims VV has launched a personal attack against her, with members spreading slander. Balje confirmed she spoke only with Nisma’s Fatmir Limaj, who asked if she wanted any political position. She declined, saying she seeks nothing personal, only a national request for the creation of a Bosniak municipality. “I don’t want money or posts, I don’t want to be a minister. I want nothing for myself or for my party. This is a national request, for a Bosniak municipality.”

MoJ: Over €32 mil paid for defense of ex-KLA leaders, over €5 mil just for Thaci (Koha)

The Ministry of Justice has paid €32,944,287 for the legal defense of former KLA leaders at the Specialist Court in The Hague since the beginning of the judicial process, the ministry has announced.

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Artan Behrami stated on Thursday that the "Support for the Legal Defense of Hashim Thaci" Foundation had submitted several requests to the Ministry for funding Thaci’s defense, but, according to him, the ministry had rejected all the requests.

However, the Ministry of Justice said that regular payments have been made in accordance with pre-established agreements and obligations, in support of legal defense. “Since the start of the process, a total of €32,944,287.77 has been paid. Of this amount, €5,353,301.02 has been spent on the defense of Mr. Hashim Thaci. The payments have been carried out regularly and transparently and will continue to be made in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and agreements in force,” the MoJ stated.

MoJ avoids main issue, whether funding for Thaci was rejected (Klan)

The news website reports that the Ministry of Justice did not respond for three weeks on the claims that it has rejected to fund the Foundation for Kosovo’s former President Hashim Thaci’s Legal Defense, submitted to the Government of Kosovo and the Ministry of Justice. However, Klan’s reporting on Wednesday, the ministry issued a statement, which mentions the funds paid for the defense of former KLA members in the Hague.This was also reiterated by Haxhiu in a statement to Klan Kosova: “The Ministry of Justice has allocated €32 million for the defense of individuals being held in The Hague.”

However, neither on that day nor in the press release has the ministry provided any details about the funding decisions. The Foundation for Thaci’s Legal Defense has now been waiting for over 40 days. They told Klan that they only have last year’s response—which was a rejection.

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Artan Behrami reacted today, accusing the caretaker minister and Vetevendosje, saying that Albin Kurti’s party views the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) as a group of mercenaries, and therefore, “They have no money for the KLA! Not even kind words.”

It’s worth recalling that due to financial issues, Kadri Veseli’s lead defense lawyer, Ben Emmerson, withdrew from the biggest case at the Specialist Chambers in August 2024.

Prosecutor requests closed hearing in Banjska case due to testimony (media)

During the court session for three of the accused in the Banjska case, Vladimir Tolic, Blagoje Spasojevic, and Dusan Maksimovic, the prosecutor requested the hearing to continue behind closed doors, citing sensitive testimony by witness Veljo Ilic.

The three defendants were brought to court under tight security. Although there are 45 accused in total for the September 24, 2023, terrorist attack in Banjska, this trial is separate, as the others remain at large.

The Special Prosecution charged Milan Radoicic and 44 others on September 11, 2024, accusing them of attempting to forcibly detach the north of Kosovo and annex it to Serbia, which led to the death of police officer Afrim Bunjaku and endangered both police and civilians. International arrest warrants have been issued for Radoicic and 40 others.

“It is possible that an unfriendly country can ignite fires in Kosovo” (KTV)

Sali Salihu, professor at the Faculty of Agriculture, said in a debate on KTV on Wednesday that the fires in Kosovo can be intentional and that they can be ignited by foreign factors – unfriendly countries. He said that Kosovo’s authorities need to monitor suspicious movements to prevent any situation that can prove disastrous for Kosovo’s economy. “As Kosovo is a small country and surrounded by an unfriendly state, if our intelligence service is not activated it is very possible that certain people from a neighboring country can cause panic and disastrous damages by igniting fires,” he argued. 

Genc Metaj, Head of the Kosovo Emergency Management Agency, said that when several fires break out within hours it creates doubt that they were intentional and that they can pose a threat to national security. “The fire attacks, my suspicion is that they were coordinated on the day when the grain fields were burnt. This is a matter for investigative mechanisms, but when cases like this happen, I qualify them similar to terrorist attacks because national security comes under threat. When 60 fires are ignited within three hours and all of them in grain fields, this is a very serious issue,” he said.

Costa: EU is actively following treatment of Albanian community in Serbia (media)

The Office of the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, sent a letter to Shaip Kamberi, the only Albanian member of the Assembly of Serbia, saying that they are actively following the treatment of the Albanian community in Serbia. “Please be assured that the EU is actively following the treatment of national minorities, including the Albanian community in Serbia. This is important in light of Serbia’s commitments under its EU accession process. Serbia is expected to align its legal framework concerning minority rights with international and European standards. Regarding the issue of “passivization of addresses”, we have taken good note of your concern. This is an issue that has also been addressed in the EU Enlargement records. On the basis of this, the EU will continue to urge Serbian authorities to provide clearer explanations to the public about how residence status checks are conducted. We remain committed to follow these matters and will continue to engage with Serbian authorities through our dialogue and within the broader context of the EU accession process. In wishing all the success in carrying out your mission as the Member of the National Assembly of Serbia, please accept the expression of our highest appreciation,” the letter notes.

Serbian Language Media 

Djuric once again demands Popovic’s release (media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said Serbia demands an immediate release of Igor Popovic and will insist on sanctioning decision makers who, as he said, stand behind an orchestrated campaign of pressure and violence against the Serbian people in Kosovo from the beginning of 2022 up to date.

He also announced concrete diplomatic, political and legal actions of Serbian state bodies against all those who made decisions in this but also in other similar cases.

"Popovic is in prison as a representative of the state of Serbia, as someone who was at the memorial service for 47 Serbs and Roma killed in the area of Orahovac and Velika Hoca at the hands of the terrorist KLA. It is precisely because of this qualification that the arrest was made. This is about an attempt to try Serbia, to try the history, to rewrite the historical truth about the terrorist character of the KLA", Djuric told Serbian public broadcaster RTS.

He recalled that “UN Security Council Resolution 1160 from 1998 clearly condemns the terrorist activities of the KLA”, as well as that Popovic was arrested in connection with something that is being part of the judicial proceedings at Specialist Chambers for KLA crimes in The Hague.

As Djuric said instructions were given to all embassies of Serbia, in particular those in the EU to raise the level of their activities, as the aim is to make sure the case of Igor Popovic does not go unnoticed, so he and other 47 political prisoners in Kosovo are released.

Commenting on his meetings with Quint and EU ambassadors yesterday in Belgrade Djuric said he pointed out violation of international law norms and demanded Popovic’s release as well as sanctions for representatives of Pristina institutions who take part in systematic violations of the human rights of Serbs in Kosovo.  

Djuric also noted that in Igor Popovic’s case it is not about an individual act, but that it is a part of a wider plan and mechanism in order to persecute the Serbian population in Kosovo. 

Mijacic: Each day Popovic spends in prison ‘failure of not only EU but also Quint to confront Kurti’s hegemonic actions’ (media, social media)

Coordinator of the National Convention for the EU Chapter 35 Working Group Dragisa Mijacic said in a post on X social platform that “each day Igor Popovic spends in prison represents a failure not only of 🇪🇺 but also of the QUINT to confront the hegemonic actions of Albin Kurti, a member of parliament who is unlawfully acting as Prime Minister in a technical mandate, against the Serb community in Kosovo”, Kosovo Online portal reported. 

He noted the arrest and detention of Popovic is not only his personal struggle “but also the inability of the Serbian state to protect its own officials and a failure of international community to restraint Kosovo Government which in its technical mandate implements decisions in direct contradiction to the principles of dialogue and normalization”, he added.

He also argued if Popovic is not released soon, then engagement of the EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Peter Sorensen would have become completely meaningless.

Petkovic: Svecla wants to lecture on rule of law and ‘became famous with attacks on EULEX’ (media, social media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said today Kosovo acting Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla “is the last person who should be talking about rule of law”, recalling his attacks on EULEX and international community, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"Let it not be Svecla teaching us lessons about the rule of law, who became ‘famous' by attacking EULEX and pelting stones at international representatives. So now he's running away from the hearing like a devil from a cross", Petkovic said in a post on X social platform along with the photos of EULEX vehicles being overturned and a wounded Serb child in Gotovusa near Strpce. “Images 1 and 2 of Svecla’s “rule of law””, Petkovic said.  

In the same post he added that “Svecla's obsession with Belgrade borders on pathology". 

Defense lawyers in Banjska case say hearings for July concluded, new ones in October (media)

By hearing the prosecution’s witness in the Basic Court in Pristina today the July court sessions in the Banjska case have concluded. The trial involves three Serbs arrested in connection with the Banjska armed incident, Dusan Maksimovic, Vladimir Tolic and Blagoje Spasojevic. The trial will continue in October by hearing other witnesses.   

Today’s hearing of the witness V.I. was closed to the public as per request of prosecutor Naim Abazi. Lawyer of Vladimir Tolic, Milos Delevic said he hoped evidence presentation would have been completed by the end of the year, however, that would not be the case, adding the trial will continue next year as well.

Lawyer of Dusan Maksimovic, Jovana Filipovic said she will not comment on the statements of today’s witness, adding that the defense will propose nine witnesses, and perhaps include one more given the statements witnesses made thus far, adding these hearings are expected in October. 

Agon Maliqi on Xhufka: An Orthodox priest as much as I am a NASA astronaut (KoSSev, social media)

A publicist of the younger generation from Kosovo, Agon Maliqi strongly reacted to the acts of Nikolla Xhufka accusing him of charlatanism and a dubious political-religious agenda, KoSSev portal reported. In a post on social media platforms this week, Maliqi warned of consequences of legitimizing Xhufka in the public space, including his reception by some Kosovo officials.

"This charlatan Nikolla Xhufka from Elbasan, who proclaimed this so-called Orthodox Church of Kosovo, is an Orthodox priest just as much as I am a NASA astronaut", Maliqi wrote in a post on Facebook.

He particularly criticized institutions and media which, as he said, give Xhufka consideration and space only because he appears with the Albanian flag in Orthodox churches. "It is disappointing that public officials receive him in their offices, and the media give him space, treating with consideration a clown with a dubious agenda, just because he walks around Orthodox churches with an Albanian flag and fulfills some folklore-nationalist fetishes", Maliqi added.

Minister: New request sent for delay of US sanctions on NIS (Tanjug)

The Serbian Government has sent a new request to the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in support of a request by Serbia's Russian majority-owned oil company NIS for an extension of an operating licence expiring on July 29 by 180 more days, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Thursday, Tanjug news agency reported.

"In the past month, as well as all the way since January, when US sanctions on NIS were announced, we have consistently been defending our position that sanctions would be very bad for energy stability in Serbia and the region and produce significant negative consequences for our country, our citizens and our economy, as well as the entire region", Djedovic Handanovic said in a statement released by her ministry.

"We again presented to the US administration all the facts, including all potential negative effects, as well as the measures that are being taken to bring NIS to compliance with the conditions set regarding Gazprom neft's ownership", the minister said. Sanctions would seriously threaten the economy, as well as energy security and stability in Serbia and the region, she noted.

Extending the licence by 180 days would help NIS to acquire crude oil for the Pancevo oil refinery on commercially viable grounds and support energy stability in the country and the region, she said. "In collaboration with US and Russian partners, the Government of Serbia remains committed to finding a lasting and sustainable solution for NIS that would enable continued and secure crude oil supplies and unobstructed operations of the Pancevo refinery", Djedovic Handanovic added.

She also thanked the Hungarian Government for its continued support in the quest for a long-term solution for NIS.

Vucic receives Chinese ambassador (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade Li Ming on Thursday, Tanjug news agency reported. The parties noted the significance of the steely friendship between their countries, as well as the significance of Chinese investments in Serbia.

"A cordial and friendly meeting with Ambassador Li Ming during which we noted the significance of the steely friendship between Serbia and China, which is based on deep mutual respect and fruitful cooperation. I especially highlighted the significance of continued Chinese investments in Serbia, which are essential for development of infrastructure, industry and other key sectors", Vucic wrote in a post on his official Instagram account.

The Chinese investments do not only encourage Serbia's economic growth but also create jobs and enhance the citizens' living standards, he added. "I reiterated gratitude to President Xi Jinping for his support and commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations. I am confident that further cooperation between our countries will continue to bring new results, greater strength and even stronger ties between our peoples, because Serbia knows how to appreciate a sincere partnership", Vucic posted.

Poll shows Vucic trailing by 10 percent (N1)

A poll by the New Serbian Political Thought (NSPM) portal showed that a greater percentage of voters are opposed to than support President Aleksandar Vucic, N1 reported.

According to the phone poll of 1,100 people, some 42 percent of the polled do not support Vucic while his supporters accounted for some 32 percent of the polled. Vreme weekly, which published the results of the poll, said that polls in March and May showed similar results. According to this poll, the opposition (if all opposition parties stood together) would win 42.1 percent of the vote.

Vreme said that Vucic’s third of the electorate are sure to turn out to vote while the opposition’s 42 percent of the electorate might not.

International

The cost of building without oversight (Prishtina Insight)

Migration of workers from Kosovo and their employment in European labour markets has created a gap in the local construction sector, leading to the hiring of workers from other countries. In many cases, however, these foreign workers face violations of their basic rights, including lack of proper registration and inadequate safety measures at work.

In July, the Kosovo Tax Administration, ATK, launched a nationwide investigation targeting construction businesses following reports from citizens and intelligence indicating that many companies were employing workers without formal contracts. 

A KALLXO.com crew joined ATK inspectors in the field to oversee the work of a number of construction companies in Prizren. At one site, ATK inspectors discovered thirteen undeclared workers from Turkey.

One employer on site in Prizren declared that it would be more costly for the companies if the employees were registered immediately “because after one or two days, some workers say they don’t like the job.” He explained that the unregistered workers “just arrived last week.”

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/DvBXV