Albanian Language Media: 

• Orav, Rohde, Barbano: Political interference in judiciary, unacceptable (Dukagjini)
• PDK: Prosecutor’s Office to take action against Kurti and ministers for holding dual roles (media)
• AVONET: Hands off the independent judicial and prosecutorial system! (RTK)
• Another death threat email sent to President Osmani (media)
• German Embassy has no information on any escalation of situation in Kosovo (RFE)
• Vetevendosje reacts to Specialist Chambers decision in Thaci et al. case (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Kosovo court ruling on dual mandates ignites political tensions and international reactions (KoSSev)
• Mijacic: Kurti’s government technical, however, pressure on Serbs is not ‘technical’ (media, social media)
• RFE: German Embassy in Pristina does not have information about ‘any escalation of situation in Kosovo’ (KoSSev)
• Telekom Serbia CEO calls for EC protection in Kosovo (N1, media)
• Vucic: Economic damage resulting from blockades amounts to billions of euros (Tanjug)
• Opposition meeting in Belgrade (N1)

Opinion:

• Kosovo – from centerpiece to omission: Vidovdan retrospective through Serbia’s President’s rhetoric (KoSSev)

International Media: 

• Kosovo Special Court dismisses Thaci motion to scrap several charges (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media 

Orav, Rohde, Barbano: Political interference in judiciary, unacceptable (Dukagjini)

The European Union Ambassador to Kosovo, Aivo Orav, has stated that political interference in the judiciary is unacceptable, following the reaction of the caretaker government to the Supreme Court’s decision to annul the Administrative Instruction on fiscal devices and electronic fiscal software. “The heads of EU Missions discussed the situation following the Supreme Court’s decision. Attacks against individual judges and political interference in the judiciary are unacceptable,” Orav wrote, while sharing the Supreme Court’s response posted earlier on Wednesday.

A similar reaction came from the German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde. “Full support for the position of the EU Ambassador! Such attacks against individual judges and political interference in the judiciary are absolutely unacceptable. This is the last thing the country needs in this already difficult political situation,” Rohde wrote.

EULEX chief Giovanni Pietro Barbano also replied on Orav’s Post writing that he fully echos the view of the EU Heads of Mission. “Independence of the judiciary remains a fundamental foundation of the Rule of Law and must be guaranteed”.

PDK: Prosecutor’s Office to take action against Kurti and ministers for holding dual roles (media)

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Perparim Gruda stated in a press conference that the Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday, based on the Law on Government, confirmed that holding dual roles—as ministers and MPs—is illegal and unconstitutional. Gruda said that following this ruling, each day these public officials continue holding both functions constitutes the criminal offense of non-compliance with a court decision.

PDK called on caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the ministers who are also MPs to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling by immediately vacating their executive positions and delegating them to their MPs. The party also urged them to stop attacking the judiciary. “We also call on the State Prosecutor’s Office to remain vigilant and take the necessary actions to implement this court decision, which is immediate and binding. Kosovo needs rule of law—not a state where individuals are above the law,” Gruda said.

Gruda also spoke about the decision of the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, which on Wednesday rejected a motion to dismiss part of the indictment against former President Hashim Thaci, former PDK leader Kadri Veseli, former Speaker Jakup Krasniqi, and former MP Rexhep Selimi. “The Democratic Party of Kosovo, without speculating on the motives behind this decision, expresses deep regret, as this was a missed opportunity to strengthen trust in international justice and the fundamental principles it must embody: objectivity, impartiality, and truth. It is unacceptable that none of the defense’s requests are taken into account, while the court and the prosecution appear to act as a single body,” he said.

According to Gruda, the court's current decisions and regulations show that the defense is not treated equally with the prosecution. “Nevertheless, we firmly believe that justice, no matter how delayed, always rests on truth in the end. And the truth in this case is indisputable: They are innocent. They are liberators. Therefore, we await with unwavering confidence the final decision for their full and permanent release,” MP Gruda concluded.

AVONET: Hands off the independent judicial and prosecutorial system! (RTK)

The AVONET network of organizations has expressed concern over recent developments in Kosovo’s justice system, highlighting as problematic the attacks on the Chief Prosecutor of the Special Prosecution and public statements by senior government officials regarding a Supreme Court decision. According to AVONET’s statement, “the attack on Chief Prosecutor Isufaj, at a time when he has initiated investigations into suspected abuses in several public tenders and the management of public funds, represents a serious threat to the justice system, the functioning of the rule of law, and efforts to combat corruption in Kosovo.”

The same statement emphasized that “the disparaging statements by Kosovo government officials regarding the Supreme Court's decision in the case of fiscal cash registers are unacceptable and undermine the independence of the judiciary.”

AVONET stated that “instead of ensuring the implementation of the law and respecting court decisions, state institutions are using irresponsible rhetoric with political undertones.”

The organization called on justice authorities “to immediately and uncompromisingly investigate any threat or pressure against the Chief Prosecutor and prosecutors handling sensitive cases.”

Furthermore, AVONET urged public officials “to refrain from making statements that foster mistrust toward justice institutions and to respect their independence.”

AVONET underscored that “the fight against corruption cannot be waged without an independent and incorruptible justice system,” adding that “any attempt to intimidate or discredit it is a direct attack on democracy and the public interest.”

Another death threat email sent to President Osmani (media)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, has once again received death threats via email. The news was confirmed by the Presidential Media Advisor, Bekim Kupina. The threatening email was sent by a person using the name Betim Ibrahimi, from the address betimibrahimi@yahoo.com, with the subject line: “Work a little harder/faster.” The threat was written in English.

“I”ll come and shoot you. Your family too. For treason. For changing our flag. For following people and making decisions based on their opinions… Are the signs in Serbia in both languages, Albanian and Serbian?” the email read in part. It was sent on July 16 at 12:15 AM.

President Osmani has received multiple death threats in the past, but no arrests have been made so far.

German Embassy has no information on any escalation of situation in Kosovo (RFE)

The German Embassy in Kosovo said in a response to the news website that it has no information regarding any military escalation in the situation between Kosovo and Serbia. This came in response to President Vjosa Osmani’s claim that former U.S. President Donald Trump had recently prevented a potential escalation by Serbia.

Trump’s former envoy, Richard Grenell, denied Osmani’s claims, accusing her of misrepresenting Trump’s role, noting that she was not involved in the 2019–2020 Washington Agreement. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also dismissed her remarks. The White House did not respond to Radio Free Europe’s request for comment.

Vetevendosje reacts to Specialist Chambers decision in Thaci et al. case (media)

The Vetevendosje Movement strongly criticized the Specialist Chambers' decision to reject the joint defense motion in the Thaci et al. case, calling it an act of injustice. In a Facebook post, Vetëvendosje argued that the court distorts the line between liberation and aggression and undermines Kosovo’s war for freedom by prosecuting only one side while ignoring Serbian state crimes.

They held Kosovo's former officials and MPs, who supported the court’s establishment in 2015, directly responsible and called for them to apologize, not symbolically, but as recognition of the moral and institutional damage caused.

Vetëvendosje cited the ignored request of Dubrava massacre survivor Enver Dugolli as further evidence of the court's bias. They concluded by reaffirming their commitment to defending the legitimacy of Kosovo's liberation war and opposing efforts to rewrite history through selective justice.

Serbian Language Media

Kosovo court ruling on dual mandates ignites political tensions and international reactions (KoSSev)

Kosovo’s ongoing institutional deadlock has deepened after the Supreme Court annulled government administrative instruction, triggering a wave of political reactions, including accusations of judicial interference and threats to the rule of law, KoSSev portal reported.

On July 14th, Kosovo Supreme Court issued a decision annulling an administrative instruction issued by Acting Minister of Finance Hekuran Murati. The Court ruled that individuals cannot simultaneously serve as ministers and Members of Parliament – a stance that directly affects multiple current officials from the ruling Self-Determination (LVV) party.

According to the Court’s reasoning, ministers lose the authority to issue decisions once they are certified as MPs, even if a new government has not yet been formed. The Court’s decision effectively confirmed a long-standing argument from the opposition, who have been claiming for months that it is unconstitutional for elected MPs to continue holding ministerial posts.

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

Mijacic: Kurti’s government technical, however, pressure on Serbs is not ‘technical’ (media, social media)

Coordinator of the National Convention Working Group for the EU Chapter 35, Dragisa Mijacic observed that although Kosovo Government operates under the technical mandate, nothing has been “technical” for the Serbs in Kosovo during that period - particularly in the northern municipalities, where, as he said, systemic pressure against them is in place, Kosovo Online portal reported. 

In a post on X social platform Mijacic wrote that “the coming days will show whether the decisions by Kosovo’s Constitutional and Supreme Courts, along with visits by Brendan Hanrahan of @StateEUR and Dame @KarenPierceUK, lead to new elections...or, less likely, to a broad/any-type of coalition government”. 

RFE: German Embassy in Pristina does not have information about ‘any escalation of situation in Kosovo’ (KoSSev)

The German Embassy in Pristina said it has no information about “any military escalation of situation between Kosovo and Serbia”, KoSSev portal reported. The Embassy made these remarks responding to the Radio Free Europe inquiry if it is aware of any threat of such kind existing recently. The RFE also said it has contacted the White House for additional clarification, but, as they said, received no response.

During the previous weeks, including on Monday, US President Donald Trump spoke on several occasions about the efforts of his administration to prevent war between Serbia and Kosovo. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said last week in the US, that according to her information, President Trump was speaking about events from the last weeks and not years. Her remarks were slammed by US President Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell who accused Osmani of manipulating President Trump’s words.

Previously a similar message was heard from Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, while Osmani’s allegations were also dismissed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic who said Serbia is not interested in wars, but wants to build and work.

Telekom Serbia CEO calls for EC protection in Kosovo (N1, media)

Telekom Serbia CEO Vladimir Lucic accused the Kosovo Government of discrimination and called the European Commission to intervene, N1 reported.

Lucic told TV Prva that the European Commission is obliged to protect the public-owned Telekom Srbija and its MTS mobile services provider in Kosovo under the Brussels Agreement, alleging discrimination by Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s technical government.

Lucic said that Pristina has been accusing Telekom Serbia of being part of a hybrid special war and warned that those claims are in preparation of more attacks on Telekom Serbia assets in Kosovo.

Vucic: Economic damage resulting from blockades amounts to billions of euros (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday the economic damage resulting from blockades in Serbia amounted to billions of euros and that a detailed analysis would be made by September, Tanjug news agency reported.

"Wages and pensions will invariably rise, but certainly less so than they would otherwise (i. e. were it not for the blockades) because, through their garbage bin revolution, loafers have inflicted damage on us. It amounts to billions of euros, but we will definitely be conducting detailed analyses in the period ahead", Vucic told Informer TV.

He added that a development program until 2035 would be unveiled in early September, by which time a detailed analysis of the damage resulting from the blockades would be conducted as well.

Opposition meeting in Belgrade (N1)

Some Serbian opposition leaders met in Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss election conditions and a review of the electoral rolls, N1 reported. The meeting was called by the People’s Movement of Serbia (NPS) leader Miroslav Aleksic. His invitation to the meeting was refused by protesting students and some civil society organizations. “Bearing in mind the essential importance of the issue for the state and society … we hope all key players will join in”, the invitation said.

The meeting was attended by CRTA democracy watchdog chief Rasa Nedeljkov, Biljana Djordjevic from the Green-Left Front, Pavle Grbovic for the Movement of Free Citizens, Borko Stefanovic of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), Ecological Uprising’s Aleksandar Jovanovic Cuta and Stefan Janjic from Serbia Center (SRCE) along with Dr Dragan Milic from Nis, Bojan Klacar from CeSID, Maja Stojanovic from the Civic Initiatives and an official from Birodi.

Aleksic said that talking is the most important and responsible thing. He said the idea was to bring in the students as well because they will become a political player when they take part in elections, however students refused to particpate in a meeting. 

Opinion 

Kosovo – from centerpiece to omission: Vidovdan retrospective through Serbia’s President’s rhetoric (KoSSev)

By Tanja Lazarevic

For over a decade of SNS rule, Serbia’s president has cultivated a narrative portraying Kosovo as a tragic, imposed, and ultimately unrealistic issue - an inherited burden awaiting resolution through “compromise.” This Vidovdan, however, he did not utter the word “Kosovo” at all. That silence was, in itself, a message.

The word “Vidovdan” in Serbian collective memory is almost synonymous with “Kosovo.” Yet in the president’s vocabulary, it is fading. In his nearly seven-minute address to Vidovdan laureates on June 28 - before an audience including top guests from Montenegro, Republika Srpska, and North Macedonia - Aleksandar Vučić did not mention Kosovo once.

Last year, around Vidovdan, he made only brief remarks on the subject: how Pristina refuses dialogue and the formation of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities (ASM); how Serbs are being arbitrarily arrested; and how Serbia prioritizes peace. He also thanked Spain for respecting Serbia’s territorial integrity.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/0mqWq

International Media 

Kosovo Special Court dismisses Thaci motion to scrap several charges (Balkan Insight)

Hague court overrides defence motion to dismiss some war crime charges against Hashim Thaci and three others on the grounds that they include events that did not occur within the timeframe of the 1998-99 Kosovo war.

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Hague on Wednesday dismissed a joint motion proposed by the defence for the former Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, leaders, former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and three others, on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The motion challenged the inclusion of events that occurred before May 1998 and after June 20, 1999 as events that did not happen during the time of the Kosovo war.  But Judge Charles Smith told the court that the relevant “incidents and charges … contested by the defence are not charges [falling] within the meaning of Rule 130”, concerning Dismissal of Charges.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/6owAQ