UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 21, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo Assembly fails to constitute even after 50 attempts (media)
PDK: We won’t vote for any former VV minister for Assembly Speaker (media)
Abdixhiku: I don’t expect any solution in the remaining days of deadline (media)
Bahtiri: No agreement between Kurti and Limaj (media)
Peci: If parties don’t reflect this week, we need to look into elections (media)
Rasic: If VV proposes Limaj for Assembly Speaker, I will vote in favor (Express)
Attorney shaves head in protest over repeated failures to form Assembly (media)
Kurti meets OSCE Head of Mission Gerard McGurk (media)
NATO official: Our engagement for regional stability is unwavering (Klan)
Police Inspectorate arrests police officer over suspected abuse of duty (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Rushing to build bridges over the Ibar – As the main one remains closed (KoSSev)
Two houses demolished because of bridge construction, one of the owners said no decision, alternative or compensation were given to him (Alternativna.com)
Serbian Democracy calls on KFOR to block new bridge for traffic if it opens (KoSSev, social media)
Reactions to Popovic’s case continue (media)
Lawyer in Popovic’s case: We have reached a point where you can't say anything public here dislikes (Kosovo Online)
OSCE Mission in Kosovo on Popovic: It is important to ensure fair and impartial judicial proceeding (media, social media)
German Embassy: We took note of Popovic’s arrest, will continue monitoring course of event (Kosovo Online)
Trial in Banjska case continues today (Radio KIM)
Concert of Dragica Crnogorcevic in Prizren cancelled over security warning (KoSSev, media)

International:

Kosovo Serb police officer detained over spying allegation (PI)
Animal welfare concerns in Kosovo over ‘business’ of stray dog adoption (BIRN)
Kosovo’s ANIBAR animation festival questions everything (PI)

Albanian Language Media

Kosovo Assembly fails to constitute even after 50 attempts (media)

The 50^th attempt to constitute the Assembly of Kosovo has once again ended without success. MPs failed to conclude the constitutive session today. Although 104 MPs were present in the chamber, only 53 participated in the vote to form the commissions for secret ballot voting.

The next attempt to constitute the Assembly will be made on Wednesday, at 11:00 AM. Avni Dehari, who presided the session, called on the parties that were in opposition during the last legislature to propose candidates for the commission that would oversee the secret ballot process for electing the Speaker of the Assembly.

Elmi Recica, MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) told Dehari “not to allow himself to be misused.” LDK MP Armend Zemaj accused Dehari of abusing his authority to preside over the session. The latter responded by stating that debate is not permitted, and that MPs only have the right to propose names for the commission handling the secret ballot process.

PDK: We won’t vote for any former VV minister for Assembly Speaker (media)

Vlora Citaku, a senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and MP, said today that the PDK will not support any former minister of the Vetevendosje Movement for Assembly Speaker. “The PDK has made clear its position … We offered a compromise solution, although it was not requested of us, but only for the sake of unblocking the situation,” she said.

Citaku commented on recent meetings between political leaders, including the meeting between Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti and NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj on Saturday. She said that such meetings would be valuable “if they would produce concrete results”.

Abdixhiku: I don’t expect any solution in the remaining days of deadline (media)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku said today that Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti “sees no rush to find a political solution” to the deadlock in the Kosovo Assembly. After another failed attempt to form the new legislative, Abdixhiku told reporters that he does not expect anything to change until July 26 the deadline set by the Constitutional Court to conclude the constitutive session of the Assembly. “I don’t see or expect any solution in the remaining days [of the deadline] … What is expected is that after the 30-day deadline to have a new interpretation by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo … It is clear that if the Assembly is not formed within the 30-day deadline, the timeline set by the Constitutional Court has been missed, a new interpretation will be needed because even the court has not specified what will happen,” he said.

Bahtiri: No agreement between Kurti and Limaj (media)

According to Vetevendosje Movement MP Agim Bahtiri, the meeting between the caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the leader of NISMA, Fatmir Limaj, did not result in any agreement. Asked by a journalist whether an agreement had been reached, Bahtiri responded with a question: “What do you think, yes, or no? The journalist replied “No,” to which Bahtiri said: “You are right.”

Journalist Flamur Gajtani also asked caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti about an eventual deal with Nisma, however, he did not offer any response. He also remained silent when asked about the possibility of returning to open voting.

Peci: If parties don’t reflect this week, we need to look into elections (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Agriculture, Faton Peci, said today that if political parties don’t reflect this week about the deadlock in the Assembly, the option of early elections should be considered. “Prime Minister Kurti had concrete offers for some political parties, he made an offer to NISMA, and at an earlier stage he made an offer to the LDK too. We are in the week when the [Constitutional] Court said that 30 days are needed to form the Assembly. This week is a very good opportunity for the political parties to reflect and move from this rigid approach … and if there is no reflection by NISMA and LDK, as co-leader of GUXO I say that the time has come for all political parties to look into discussions for elections,” he said.

Rasic: If VV proposes Limaj for Assembly Speaker, I will vote in favor (Express)

Kosovo MP Nenad Rasic told reporters today that he will vote in favor of Fatmir Limaj if the Vetevendosje Movement proposes him for Assembly Speaker. “If he is proposed by the winning party, namely by the Vetevendosje Movement, then yes,” he said when asked if he would support the proposal.

Attorney shaves head in protest over repeated failures to form Assembly (media)

All news websites report that Pristina-based attorney Arianit Koci shaved his head in front of the Kosovo Assembly building in protest over repeated failures by the MPs to form the new legislative. He told reporters that the protest is also aimed against the people of Kosovo who he claimed “is asleep”.

Kurti meets OSCE Head of Mission Gerard McGurk (media)

Most news websites report that Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti hosted today the head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Gerard McGurk, and discussed OSCE’s periodical reports on Kosovo and cooperation on topics and projects of mutual interest. “Cooperation with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo is part of strengthening democratic institutions, improving the rule of law and respect for equal rights for all citizens, in line with the Constitution and the laws of the country,” a press release issued by Kurti’s office notes.

NATO official: Our engagement for regional stability is unwavering (Klan)

A NATO official told Klan Kosova on Sunday that the Western Balkans remains at the center of the Alliance’s attention and that its engagement for regional stability and security is unwavering. The NATO official made the remarks when asked to comment on recent statements by US President Donald Trump that he helped prevent a conflict between Serbia and Kosovo.

Police Inspectorate arrests police officer over suspected abuse of duty (media)

Most news websites report that the Kosovo Police Inspectorate arrested a police officer suspected of abuse of position or duty and a prosecutor ordered a 48-hour detention. The inspectorate recommended the suspension of the officer, saying that initial investigations show that the suspect unauthorizedly used the border police database by verifying and registering there the data of a national of the Republic of Serbia. “The citizen was not present at the border crossing at all, and the suspicion is that the police officer made the registration to verify if the national of the Republic of Serbia was wanted by the police,” a statement notes.

Serbian Language Media

Rushing to build bridges over the Ibar – As the main one remains closed (KoSSev)

Construction of two new bridges over the Ibar River is in full swing – one for vehicles near the North Mitrovica municipality building, and another pedestrian bridge near the “Three Towers.” Even workers from the Ibar-Lepenac public company have been brought in, KoSSev portal reports.

The company’s CEO, Faruk Mujka, confirmed their involvement, saying that his team worked on clearing the riverbank on the northern side. “We are happy that as ‘Ibar-Lepenac’ we can contribute even beyond our official area of responsibility. Yesterday and today, we were near the Three Towers on the north bank of the Ibar, clearing the terrain in preparation for a new bridge, in line with the Government’s decision”, Mujka wrote in a Facebook post.

According to him “the beginning of change is increasingly being felt day by day”. The day before, Deputy Mayor of South Mitrovica Arian Tahiri visited the construction site of the pedestrian bridge.

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

Two houses demolished because of bridge construction, one of the owners said no decision, alternative or compensation were given to him (Alternativna.com)

In less than a month following the announcements on construction of two new bridges connecting South and Mitrovica North, not far from the main bridge over the Ibar River, the works have started, Alternativna.com portal reported.

Two smaller houses located on the northern side of the Ibar River bank, not far from MTS.doo premises were demolished due to bridge construction that would be used for vehicular traffic and pedestrians.

The owner of one demolished house is Slavoljub Djokic. He told the portal he was not informed in advance his house will be demolished, but heard about it from his acquaintances once police and municipal officials came to the spot. When he arrived on the spot he saw the entry door broken, and belongings scattered inside the house.

Apart from not receiving any notification, he also said he received no compensation whatsoever for the demolished house. He also claimed he has documentation proving his ownership of the house from the Serbian system.

“I brought papers, but they said your papers are in vain, when the order came from the top, this must be demolished and cleared in half an hour. I only took the painting from the wall of the house. Later I spoke with the lawyers, no one wanted to accept my case. They told me these are difficult matters. At the end, I found one”, Djokic said, adding he filed a complaint to the municipality, but not immediately.

“Last week I went there with a lawyer to file a complaint, but they did not accept it, as the (respective) official was not there. They accepted the complaint this Monday only and now we are waiting for them to decide within one-month period”, Djokic added.

He also explained he bought this house in 1995. “But in vain. It is the law of stronger, and not the law of justice. Those from the municipality came, I told them this is pure vandalism, and they responded – be quiet, they want to imprison you”, he further told the portal.

The portal said it failed to contact the person who lived in another demolished house. According to unofficial information it was an elderly female person, who allegedly was not the owner of the house. There is no publicly available and official information as to what happened with her case, and according to unofficial information she received an offer from the municipality.

Institutions without response

The portal further wrote it received no reply to their inquiry about the case from Mitrovica North municipality and Kosovo Ministry of Infrastructure. The questions were sent in writing one day prior publication of the article.

The portal asked the following questions: On the basis of which decision were the two houses demolished in Mitrovica North due to construction of a new bridge connecting two municipalities? Was that decision made by the Ministry of Infrastructure or Mitrovica North municipality? Will the business premises that are located near these two houses be demolished? How was the female person who lived in one of these two houses cared for? Has any compensation been made to the owners of the houses? What are the further urbanistic plans relating to this bridge construction? Respectively, will there be any changes in the layout of the city, in addition to the fact that two houses were demolished?

All questions remained without answers. The portal also requested the document based on which these two houses were demolished.

It also remains unknown what will happen with business premises located in the near vicinity of two demolished houses, respectively if there are plans to demolish them as well.

Serbian Democracy calls on KFOR to block new bridge for traffic if it opens (KoSSev, social media)

Serbian Democracy called on KFOR to block the new bridge for vehicular traffic, connecting Mitrovica South and Mitrovica North, if Kosovo Government opens it, KoSSev portal reported. The party assessed the opening of the new bridge as “provocation” and “poking the finger in the eye of Serbian majority people in the north”. This party also warned of possible deterioration of the situation in light of, as they said, existing incidents.

In a statement delivered to the media, Serbian Democracy also said existing infrastructural capacities over the Ibar River fully meet the needs of the local traffic. “The main bridge is used by pedestrians, and there are three more bridges over which vehicular traffic goes without problems between South and Mitrovica North”, the statement added. The party also underlined that residents of Mitrovica North on several occasions, both publicly and in conversation with party officials, opposed construction and opening of the two new bridges referred to as “spite bridges” by the party.

Serbian Democracy expressed concern over close proximity of the Sports Hall in Mitrovica South, to the new bridge, a gathering spot of “extreme fans group” which they see as security risk, arguing its opening could additionally deteriorate security situation, in light of, as they said, existing incidents. “Such as hundreds of sexual harassment cases over the last year and more than 1.200 inter-ethnic incidents in the last 25 years”, the party said.

Reactions to Popovic’s case continue (media)

A surge in reactions of Serbian officials and legal professionals in relation to Pristina Basic Court decision to render 30-day detention to Office for Kosovo and Metohija Assistant Director Igor Popovic over his remarks on KLA made at the 27^th anniversary of the massive kidnappings and killings of Serbs in Orahovac municipality continue today as well, media report.

Leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and former Serbian prime minister, Milos Vucevic said decision on Popovic’s detention was “yet another in a series of shameful, scandalous and illegal decisions of the Albin Kurti’s regime, by which he wants to provoke conflicts and continue reckoning with Serbs”. As he said Kurti will not succeed in attempts to shade KLA crimes, adding these are the crimes which do not reach the statute limitation and Serbia will continue insisting on those responsible to be punished. Vucevic requested the international community in Kosovo to “immediately review the illegal and scandalous decision of Kurti’s judges” and for Popovic to be released.

Serbian Justice Minister Nenad Vujic in his reaction said the court’s decision sends a clear message “(…) that any attempts of Serbs to speak about their own sufferings will be punished by arrests and political repression”, adding that by doing so not only UNSC Resolution 1244 obligations are ignored, but also, as he said, a dangerous practice of persecution on ethnic and political backgrounds continues.

Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migrations, Natasa Stanisavljevic in the strongest terms condemned the decision on Popovic’s detention, adding it was about continuation of the politically motivated pressure against Serbs in Kosovo. She also said such decisions aim to intimidate and discourage Serbs from staying and living in Kosovo.

Human rights activist and lawyer Milan Antonijevic said in a democratic society anybody should have the right to question all the issues, in particular the ones related to KLA accountability for the crimes against the Serbs. As he said what Popovic said in a commemoration event in Velika Hoca is already part of war crimes trials to the former KLA leaders in the Hague, and as such his words can not be subject to criminal responsibility.

Former president of Court of Appeals in Mitrovica North, Nikola Kabasic said over the last years the Self-determination Movement was not benevolent towards KLA, their acts and leaders and many times they have used much more serious qualifications and words about KLA than those Igor Popovic uttered. As Kabasic said the intention of Pristina was obvious “with verdicts to ban use of word Metohija, to incriminate Racak issue over Todosijevic’s case, and now to hold Igor Popovic accountable for mentioning events armed formation KLA was responsible for and what is also a part in the indictment at the Hague Tribunal where highest kLA leaders are standing trial, and crime in Orahovac is part of that indictment, they are tried for it”.

Lawyer in Popovic’s case: We have reached a point where you can't say anything public here dislikes (Kosovo Online)

We have unfortunately reached a point where you can’t say anything that the local public doesn’t like, and where you have to weigh every word you say on any topic, especially on issues like this, where someone might interpret it as disturbing interethnic relations or inciting hatred, lawyer Ljubomir Pantovic told Kosovo Online. He is one of the defense attorneys for Igor Popovic, Office for Kosovo and Metohija Assistant Director, who was yesterday ordered into 30 days of detention by a preliminary procedure judge of the Basic Court in Pristina.“The situation is extremely, extremely difficult for our people here. You really have to be extremely careful and weigh every word you say in public”, Pantovic emphasized.

Before the preliminary procedure judge, the defense invoked a 2023 ruling by Kosovo Supreme Court, which acquitted Ivan Todosijevic, former head of Zvecan Municipal Interim Authority and former Kosovo Minister of Administration, of the same criminal offense now being attributed to Popovic.

“The Supreme Court ruled that Ivan Todosijevic had expressed his personal opinion, an opinion that doesn’t have to be factually correct or accurate, nor aligned with the views of the majority of Kosovo’s population, and that such an opinion falls under the protection of freedom of speech, as defined by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights”, Pantovic recalled. Initially Todosijevic was sentenced to two years in prison over his remarks that “Racak case was fabricated”.

OSCE Mission in Kosovo on Popovic: It is important to ensure fair and impartial judicial proceeding (media, social media)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo did not comment on proceedings led against Office for Kosovo and Metohija Assistant Director Igor Popovic, however, it pointed out the importance of respecting the rule of law, ensuring fair proceedings and guaranteeing that judicial proceedings are carried out in an impartial manner.

"In line with principles of impartiality and independence of judiciary, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo does not comment on ongoing court proceedings. However, we emphasize the importance of respecting the rule of law, ensuring fair proceedings and guaranteeing that court proceedings are carried out transparently and impartially, in accordance with international human rights standards", reads response of this Mission to Kosovo Online media enquiry relating to Pristina Basic Court’s decision to render 30-day detention to Office for Kosovo and Metohija Assistant Director Igor Popovic over his KLA remarks.

When it comes to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the OSCE Mission said it is necessary for all parties to remain committed to the process mediated by the EU. "Constructive engagement and restraint are key to maintaining stability and making progress on outstanding issues", the Mission added.

German Embassy: We took note of Popovic’s arrest, will continue monitoring course of event (Kosovo Online)

In a response to Kosovo Online media enquiry related to 30-day detention rendered to Office for Kosovo and Metohija Assistant Director, Igor Popovic, German Embassy in Pristina said “it has taken note of the arrest of Mr. Popovic”. “We expect all proceedings to be carried out fully in line with the rule of law. The Embassy will continue to monitor the development of events in this case”, the response said.

Trial in Banjska case continues today (Radio KIM)

The trial in the Banjska case continued today at the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina by hearing of the protected witness, proposed by prosecution. This trial involves three Serbs, arrested after the armed incident in this village, Dusan Maksimovic, Vladimir Tolic and Blagoje Spasojevic, Radio KIM reported.

As per request of the special prosecutor in the case, Naim Abazi, the hearing today was closed to the public, as according to him the public hearing of a witness coded F1 could endanger the security of the witness. The judicial panel accepted the request and made the decision today’s hearing to be held without the presence of the public. Family members of the defendants were present during today’s hearing, Radio KIM added.

Concert of Dragica Crnogorcevic in Prizren cancelled over security warning (KoSSev, media)

Danica Crnogorcevic, singer of the Serbian spiritual music from Montenegro, informed the public that her concert planned to take place at Saint Archangel Monastery celebration near Prizren has been cancelled, KoSSev portal reported.

The reason behind cancellation was security warning that Kosovo authorities conveyed to the Monastery, Crnogorcevic said in a video post on her Instagram account. She confirmed that upon discussion and blessing from the Abbot of the Saint Archangel Monastery it was decided to cancel the concert. Nevertheless she urged believers to attend the planned liturgy on the occasion of Monastery’s Saint Patron Day on July 26 en masse.

The KoSSev portal added Crnogorcevic is one of leading soloists of Serbian traditional and spiritual music and she frequently visits Kosovo. For months already she is also supporting students’ protests in Serbia.

International

Kosovo Serb police officer detained over spying allegation (PI)

Prishtina Basic Court on Friday ordered 30 days of detention for a police officer who was arrested the day before on espionage allegations. Bojan Jevtic, an ethnic Serb from the eastern town of Kamenice/Kamenica, is suspected of leaking confidential police information to Serbia’s state security service.

Bekim Kodraliu, the prosecutor investigating the case, told media on Friday that they possess evidence that the suspect “was dealing with illegal activities which violate Kosovo’s law and constitutional order”.

“These are [leaked] documents released by Kosovo Police and which are related to Kosovo’s security and its constitutional order,” Kodraliu said, declining to comment on the documents’ content, calling the case “too sensitive”.

Milos Nikolic, the lawyer for Jevtic, said he had requested house arrest for his client.

“We argued that he will be accessible during the entire process, will positively reply to calls from the authorities, and we have offered a guarantee of 15,000 euros that he will cooperate with the authorities,” Nikolic said.