UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 20, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

LVV won’t back down from Haxhiu: Assembly formation remains uncertain (RFE)
Murati: Court ruling appears to have been written in PDK offices (media)
Kadrijaj: Court’s decision is mandatory, political games must end (media)
One-month pretrial detention for S.S., suspected of war crimes in Vushtrri (media)
Svecla: Kosovo ranked 12th in the world for high sense of security (media)
Kurti hosts Speaker of North Macedonia Assembly Afrim Gashi (media)
Albright’s and Holbrooke’s testimonies to be used by Thaci’s defense (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Albanian parties united in Gracanica elections: is there a tendency to change municipality’s ethnic structure? (Kosovo Online)
Lawyer: One-month detention for Spasic; no witness mentioned his name in 26 years (media)
Defendant enters plea bargain for “spreading ISIS ideology”, receives one-year suspended sentence (KoSSev)
Brnabic: Non-paper calls for foreign intervention (N1)
Police director: Security situation in Serbia stable (Tanjug, media)
ODIHR calls Belgrade to allow peaceful protests without violence (N1, social media)

Opinion:

Kosovo à la Trump (Part 2): on peace and other agreements (KoSSev)

International Media:

Kosovo court detains Serb suspected of wartime killings, rape (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

LVV won’t back down from Haxhiu: Assembly formation remains uncertain (RFE)

After a break lasting more than three weeks, Kosovo’s Assembly MPs will attempt once again to constitute the institution on August 20, starting at 11:00. This step follows the Constitutional Court’s ruling, which mandates that the Speaker must be elected within 30 days through an open vote, allows the candidate to be proposed a maximum of three times, and requires the participation of all MPs in the vote. Nonetheless, the chances of success appear slim. Vetevendosje remains steadfast in supporting Albulena Haxhiu as its candidate, while the opposition continues to resist any compromise. Constitutional experts warn that another failure could plunge Kosovo into a new institutional crisis.

In the upcoming session on August 20, LVV will once again nominate Haxhiu as Speaker, confirmed MP Arber Rexhaj. He stated, “If Ms. Haxhiu is not chosen within three attempts, we will certainly discuss our next steps within the parliamentary group.”

Rexhaj noted that caretaker Prime Minister and LVV leader Albin Kurti had pledged to respect the Court’s ruling but expressed his concern regarding its limitation: the same candidate may only be proposed three times. According to Rexhaj, the decision transfers the power to propose a Speaker: if LVV fails to elect one within 30 days, that right moves to another party. He warned this could distort the political will of Kosovo’s people, 42.2% of whom voted for LVV.

Opposition parties remain firm. PDK says it will not support Haxhiu. MP Blerta Deliu Kodra stated that PDK refuses to back any candidate associated with the previous Kurti government. LDK will also vote against any LVV nominee, with Lutfi Haziri urging that cooperation requires political agreement, a consensus yet to emerge. AAK MP Time Kadrijaj said any AAK support will depend entirely on LVV’s next nominee, and no compromise deal is on the table.

Constitutional expert Zahir Cerkini warned that failing to meet the 30-day deadline creates a constitutional uncertainty. Vullnet Bugaqku added that the Court must clarify the legal consequences, potentially including revoking mandates or ordering new elections. He underscored that responsibility lies first with LVV and then with all MPs, failure to act would breach the Court’s ruling. Gezim Shala similarly warned that ignoring the decision is equivalent to ignoring the Constitution.

Murati: Court ruling appears to have been written in PDK offices (media)

Acting Minister of Finance Hekuran Murati reacted following the publication of the Constitutional Court’s latest ruling regarding the constitutive session of parliament. Murati asserted that both the Chair of the Constitutive Session, Avni Dehari, and the Vetevendosje parliamentary group have acted fully in accordance with the Constitution, relying on the precedent of Judgment KO119/2014. He emphasized that the Constitution has not changed since 2014."What has changed," Murati continued, "is the interpretation being applied by the Constitutional Court members, because the winner has changed: now it is Vetevendosje, not PDK."

He went on to say that the ruling published on Monday appears as though it was “written in the offices of PDK,” unlike the ruling dated June 26, which at least gave the impression of having been produced with genuine input from the Court itself.

Kadrijaj: Court’s decision is mandatory, political games must end (media)

Time Kadrijaj MP of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) commented on the Constitutional Court ruling, emphasizing that this decision provides the only path out of the political deadlock. “The Constitutional Court has spoken and shown us the way out of the impasse we have fallen into. Its ruling, whether we like it or not, is binding and must be respected. A 30 day deadline is more than sufficient for new proposals and for the Assembly to be constituted,” Kadrijaj said.

She stressed that the AAK, as a parliamentary party, will contribute, including with its vote, to unblocking the process and fully implementing the Court's decision, which she noted had been initiated months earlier by the AAK itself. “Any other action goes against the state’s interests and is therefore unacceptable and condemnable! Political games must end tomorrow, and the new parliament should commence its work so that a pathway to forming a government can open!” she concluded.

One-month pretrial detention for S.S., suspected of war crimes in Vushtrri (media)

A one month pretrial detention has been ordered for S.S., who is suspected of committing war crimes in Vushtrri. The decision was issued by the Basic Court of Pristina, as confirmed by the court spokesperson Mirlinda Gashi.

According to the case file, S.S. is accused of collaborating with other uniformed personnel, forming a group as mobilized active reservists within units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia, and participating in the killing of unarmed civilians in the Municipality of Vushtrri during the Kosovo war. Additionally, he is suspected of, on April 6, 1999, carrying out an operation during which he looted and burned homes, and committed physical and sexual violence against unarmed civilians.

Svecla: Kosovo ranked 12th in the world for high sense of security (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said on Tuesday that the latest report by Gallup ranks Kosovo as the 12th in the world for the high sense of security. “According to the latest report, the Republic of Kosovo ranks 12th in the world for a high sense of security, while in the Rule of Law Index it is ranked 8th among the top ten countries. This is the result of the clear vision and tireless work of our Government over these years,” he said.

Svecla also said that Kosovo’s security institutions have demonstrated commitment and high professionalism, ensuring safety, order, and the rule of law. The report he said is proof of Kosovo’s progress in building a safe and sustainable society. “It reflects the commitment of our institutions and the trust of citizens in a future where order, law, and security remain the foundations of our country,” he said.

Kurti hosts Speaker of North Macedonia Assembly Afrim Gashi (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti hosted on Tuesday the Speaker of the Assembly of North Macedonia, Afrim Gashi. Kurti was accompanied by caretaker Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu, assembly constitution session chair Avni Dehari, and former Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca. The two leaders discussed relations between Kosovo and North Macedonia, the cooperation so far and latest developments. “They highlighted the positive effects of inter-state agreements… with special emphasis on agreements aimed at facilitating the movement of people and goods, as the joint border crossings Hani i Elezit – Bllace, and Gllobocica – Jazhnice, as well as infrastructure projects such as the road from Prizren to Tetove,” a press release issued by Kurti’s office notes.

Albright’s and Holbrooke’s testimonies to be used by Thaci’s defense (media)

During Monday’s status conference, presiding judge Charles Smith III confirmed that the defense will begin presenting its evidence in the trial of former KLA officials, including Hashim Thaci, starting on 15 September 2025. A public trial calendar has been made available, though 25 September 2025 has been noted as a day on which proceedings will not take place.

Thaci’s defense plans to call 11 or 12 witnesses. In a notable development, the defense confirmed that among their key figures are Madeleine Albright and Richard Holbrooke, well-known international personalities whose written testimonies will be relied upon in court. As noted by Pierre Richard Prosper, these are high-profile individuals whose insights pertain directly to the prosecution’s case and have exculpatory value.

At recent progress proceedings, Judge Smith stated that on 21 July 2025, the defense teams for Thaci and Krasniqi submitted the full list of witnesses and material evidence they intend to use. Aiden Ellis indicated that no further evidence is expected to be added at this time, though the format of presentation remains to be determined.

Serbian Language Media

Albanian parties united in Gracanica elections: is there a tendency to change municipality’s ethnic structure? (Kosovo Online)

What the four largest Albanian parties in Kosovo - Self-Determination, PDK, LDK, and AAK - failed to achieve at the central level - forming Kosovo institutions even six months after the parliamentary elections - they managed to achieve locally in the municipality of Gracanica. The cooperation of these parties has led to formation of the Albanian Alliance, which will compete for the position of mayor and assembly members in the local elections on October 12. While the Serbian List warns of an attempt to alter the ethnic composition of municipalities with a Serb majority, interlocutors for Kosovo Online assess that Albanians are united in actions directed against Serbs.

“The idea was joint, because the goal is good. Our goal is to represent everyone, without any distinction. I don’t know about the mandate, but we have a wonderful team, and I believe we will make the most of it”, said Leutrim Ajeti, candidate of the Albanian Alliance for mayor of Gracanica and current deputy mayor of Gracanica, in a written statement for Kosovo Online.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/l5CGe

Lawyer: One-month detention for Spasic; no witness mentioned his name in 26 years (media)

The Basic Court in Pristina has upheld request of Special Prosecutor’s Office and ordered 30-day detention for Sinisa Spasic from Priluzje village near Obilic, his defense attorney Ljubomir Pantovic said, adding that prosecution’s motion did not meet conditions to be accepted, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Pantovic explained that the investigation into the case in which Spasic is suspected of allegedly committing a war crime began in 1999 and that in 26 years since, none of the witnesses questioned had ever mentioned Spasic’s name - until a month ago.

Explaining that the investigation into this crime started 26 years ago and was since then conducted by investigators of the Hague Tribunal, UNMIK prosecutors, EULEX prosecutors, and Kosovo investigators, Pantovic said dozens of witnesses were interviewed. “In all those 26 years, no one, ever, in any context related to that crime, mentioned Siniša Spasic - until a month and a half ago, when one witness suddenly remembered that Siniša took part in the crime, but somehow forgot to say so for 26 years. After that, a few more witnesses had their memories refreshed and also claimed that Sinisa was involved in that alleged war crime”, Pantovic said.

He stressed that this is a pattern already seen many times in Kosovo and that an indictment will likely follow. He announced appeal to the court’s decision.

Defendant enters plea bargain for “spreading ISIS ideology”, receives one-year suspended sentence (KoSSev)

A man with initials M.M., accused of publicly inciting and spreading extreme religious ideology as part of ISIS propaganda, entered a plea bargain with Kosovo special prosecution, KoSSev portal reported.

According to the plea bargain, M.M., was rendered one-year in prison, however, he will not serve the prison term unless he commits a new criminal act in the three-year period. The time he spent in detention will be balanced against the rendered prison term in case revocation of a suspended sentence occurs.

M.M., was accused of sharing ISIS propaganda material on his Facebook profile, including photos and videos with violent content, as well as calling for massacres against Jews and Christians, thus potentially endangering public peace and security.

He was accused of criminal acts of “inciting division and intolerance”.

Brnabic: Non-paper calls for foreign intervention (N1)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said the new stage of the colored revolution includes a call for foreign intervention, N1 reported.

Commenting on an alleged non-paper published by Belgrade-based Kurir media outlet on Monday, Brnabic said it calls for “a foreign intervention as the solution to the crisis that they caused”. She added that this means an occupation of the country and the revoking of all sovereignty. Kurir said that the alleged document was sent to foreign embassies by NGOs which, as N1 said, the authorities view as enemies.

“Imagine putting the legitimately elected president under foreign control and foreign oversight”, she told reporters. Her words were echoed by Foreign Minister Marko Djuric who said the alleged non-paper was an attempt to topple constitutional order.

Police director: Security situation in Serbia stable (Tanjug, media)

Serbian Police director, Dragan Vasiljevic said it has been noted at the National Security Council session held on Tuesday in Belgrade that the security situation in the territory of Serbia is stable, and that all state bodies are undertaking all they can to have the situation remain as such, Tanjug news agency reported.

He also said a conclusion was made in a session that coordination of all security services was necessary in order to have the situation remaining fully stable. As he said during the last nine months, a total of 23.373 non-reported public gatherings were organized, which police had to secure, saying it was a large task for police to cover all those gatherings.

ODIHR calls Belgrade to allow peaceful protests without violence (N1, social media)

The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on Tuesday that the Serbian authorities have to allow peaceful gathering without excessive use of force by the police, N1 reported.

“Serbia has an obligation to facilitate peaceful assemblies without unjustified or excessive use of force by police and to prevent violence, in line with its human rights commitments”, ODIHR said in a post on X social platform. It added that promoting dialogue and accountability are the best way forward to de-escalate current tensions.

Opinion

Kosovo à la Trump (Part 2): on peace and other agreements (KoSSev)

By Dragutin Nenezic

The past week on the international stage was marked by peace agreements, in contrast to the domestic scene, which was marked by escalating conflict and violence. Although at first glance there seems to be no direct connection, I believe that one of the key causes of what we see happening on the streets of Serbia lies in what has taken place in Kosovo over the past 12 years - and what may eventually become the subject of a new agreement. This series is dedicated to that question. As always, let’s take it step by step.

Azerbaijan and Armenia

Last Monday, the draft of a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia was released, having been initiated the week before at the White House, which I covered in the previous installment. It is a classic peace agreement, which apparently leaves no room for territorial exchange (Art. 2), but only for demarcation (Art. 7). It contains no provisions on the return of displaced persons, minority rights, or the status of cultural heritage. Particularly notable is the clause stipulating that failure to comply with the agreement cannot be justified by invoking national legislation (Art. 12).

With that in mind, this agreement can hardly serve as a model for Kosovo, as some have suggested in our public debate. The circumstances are entirely different, both historically and militarily: Azerbaijan won the war and consolidated its territory, and it is now up to Armenia to recognize that in one way or another. The initialing of this agreement is one step in that direction. Serbia, by contrast, did not wage war against Kosovo or Albania, but against NATO, and the outcome was the Kumanovo Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Everything that followed - including the declaration of independence and the Brussels process - has gone in a different direction. At best, the Armenian example may serve as a reminder of how not to treat one’s own people and church (which are still present in Kosovo), as well as one’s constitution and international allies (including an understanding of who those allies truly are).