UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 21, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Haradinaj: AAK would vote for around 20 candidates from VV (media)
Maliqi: If Kurti doesn't have majority, new general elections (media)
German Parliamentary State Secretary to visit Kosovo (media)
Banjska as an indicator of future criminal trends in the Balkans (AP)
KFOR, Police monitoring suspicious Serbian drones over Kosovo (media)
Kosovo brothers released after being held for one week in Serbia (media)
KLA war veterans leader calls on people to join protest in Hague on Sept 14 (Klan)
Cvetkovic admits guilt for inciting discord and intolerance (media)
German embassy: A big step for clean rivers and public health (media)
Bogojevic: People in Leposavic complaining against Elektrosever (media)
“CEC member Gordana Laban Zuvic linked to parallel structures” (TV Dukagjini)

Serbian Language Media:

UNS and DNKiM: Whereabouts of Slavuj and Penezic still unknown, many other journalists abducted as well (media)
Whereabouts of Radio Pristina journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic abducted near Orahovac in 1998 still unknown (Tanjug, N1, media)
Family appeals to international community for release of Dragan Nicic (Radio KIM)
Construction of bridge connecting Mitrovica South and Mitrovica North in its final stage (Kosovo Online, media)
Reaction of Marko Jaksic to recruitment process at Regional Water Company in Mitrovica South (social media)
Nine cases of domestic violence reported in Kosovo in last 24 hours (Radio kontakt plus)
Sensational headlines on Kosovo: how Serbian tabloids blur line between news and manipulation (KoSSev)
EU Ambassador to Serbia: We condemn violence, excessive use of force must be investigated (N1)

Opinion:

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the likely demise of reconciliation (BIRN)

International:

Kosovo’s summer wildfires expose it unprepared (Prishtina Insight)
What's behind the eruption of violence at protests in Serbia? (RFE)

Humanitarian:

Veton Nurkollari: It would be a shame to compromise (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media

Haradinaj: AAK would vote for around 20 candidates from VV (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said on Wednesday that the Kurti-led Vetevendosje Movement can unblock the constitution of the new Kosovo Assembly. “The Vetevendosje Movement has enough votes for the Assembly Speaker. We have five certain votes, plus some other votes. Today [Wednesday] we could have voted for around 20 candidates from the Vetevendosje Movement. The Vetevendosje Movement does not have enough votes for the government, because we will not vote for a Kurti 3 government. Kurti wants to go to elections without measuring forces first. He doesn’t want to be seen not having the votes to form a new government. This is the reality. In our opinion, as the Alliance, there are around 20 people in the Vetevendosje Movement that we would vote for [Assembly Speaker],” he said.

Maliqi: If Kurti doesn't have majority, new general elections (media)

Political commentator Agon Maliqi in an interview with ABC News said that Kosovo risks going to early parliamentary elections. “Either the government will be formed, or we will go to elections. Consensus is needed. The Vetevendosje Movement is first, but it cannot govern without another big party. The parties of the former opposition have shown great reservation to cooperate with Kurti. And we continue to be in this absurd situation … If Kurti doesn’t have the majority, we risk going to early elections,” he said.

German Parliamentary State Secretary to visit Kosovo (media)

The German Embassy in Pristina has announced the official visit of Johann Saathoff, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, who will be in Kosovo on August 22 and 23, 2025.

On Friday, the Parliamentary State Secretary will visit the flagship initiative, the Innovation and Training Park (ITP) in Prizren, a model project dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation, business development, and skills enhancement. The program includes an information session and a company visit. This visit highlights Germany’s continued commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth and bilateral cooperation.

Following the field visit, a press conference will be held at the project site, during which the Parliamentary State Secretary will deliver a statement and be available to answer questions from media representatives.

Banjska as an indicator of future criminal trends in the Balkans (AP)

The news website reports that the latest report by the Geneva-based Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime titled “Danger ahead: Scenarios for the future of organized crime in the Western Balkans” shows how criminal trends in the region can evolve until 2035 and includes an analysis about the transformative actions of criminal and paramilitary groups in the Western Balkans. A warning example is the paramilitary attack in Banjska of Zvecan in the northern part of Kosovo, which according to the report notes signals the threat that these groups can pose to security and stability. The report includes several possible scenarios about the further increase of crime in the region, including the creation of a specialized arms trafficking task force, mainly from paramilitary groups that return from the war in Ukraine. These groups, according to the report, could use existing conflicts and uncertainties in countries of the region, and engage in violent outbursts in the coming years, including local protests, conflicts over natural resources and clashes between ethnic communities. The report also notes that one of the possible scenarios for 2030-2035 is an agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, which would allow Kosovo to join the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and INTERPOL, increasing intelligence sharing and mutual cooperation.

See more at: https://shorturl.at/lFMDQ

KFOR, Police monitoring suspicious Serbian drones over Kosovo (media)

TV Dukagjini reported that a little over a month ago, aerial vehicles that do not belong to Kosovo’s institutions or KFOR flew over at least two highly sensitive institutions of Kosovo. These drones, suspected to be Serbian, flew over the High Security Prison and, according to television sources, their size resembled agricultural drones. Another location suspected to have been monitored by Serbian drones is the Dumosh airfield, recently transferred to the ownership of the Kosovo Security Force. It is one of the closest points to the Serbian border under the jurisdiction of Kosovo’s army.

TV Dukagjini obtained footage from the start of the investigation, and initially, the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, confirmed they had begun monitoring. Later, without specifying ownership, KFOR said that the drones had not posed a security threat. “Regarding your questions, after reviewing the issue, our observations have not revealed any threat to security in the area. We will continue to monitor the situation in close cooperation with security stakeholders closely,” KFOR stated.

The Kosovo Police were the first to be notified about the drones flying over these institutions, and in coordination with KFOR, are handling the matter. “KFOR is responsible for monitoring Kosovo’s airspace. There have been several reports of flights observed by citizens, and we deploy our units as needed. But in that area, we have not had a case where we downed any drone. We informed KFOR, they are dealing with it, and we are working together with them,” said Police Director Gazmend Hoxha.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Kosovo, which is also responsible for airspace management, confirmed that it had received notifications about unauthorized drone operations over the areas mentioned by the media.

The Dumosh airfield was given to the Kosovo Security Force by the government a year ago, citing its strategic importance for hosting the country’s military capacities. Meanwhile, the High Security Prison not only holds many convicts but also suspects accused of terrorism in connection with the 2023 Banjska attack.

Kosovo brothers released after being held for one week in Serbia (media)

Several news websites report that two brothers from Kosovo, who live in Germany, were released by Serbian authorities after being held there for one week. They were arrested one week ago at the border between Serbia and Hungary on unfounded allegations of having kidnapped a Serb in 1999. The two brothers are reportedly traveling back to Germany.

KLA war veterans leader calls on people to join protest in Hague on Sept 14 (Klan)

Leader of the KLA War Veterans Organization Hysni Gucati said in an interview with the TV station that after the protest in downtown Pristina in support of KLA leaders standing trial at the Specialist Chambers, another protest will be held on September 14 in the Hague. “Our fellow combatants who live in the diaspora, especially in the United States and Europe, a protest will be held in the Hague, on September 14. The moment they requested it we supported it, and we will support the protest with all our capacities,” he said.

Gucati called on people to join the protest saying that it is all-national and is aimed to express opposition to the unjust proceedings in the Hague.

Cvetkovic admits guilt for inciting discord and intolerance (media)

The Basic Court in Pristina approved an agreement whereby Stefan Cvetkovic admitted to being guilty of inciting discord and intolerance. The judge ruled for six months in prison for Cvetkovic which can be replaced with a fine of €1,000. The Special Prosecution of Kosovo said in its indictment that on June 10 in Shterpce, Cvetkovic had intentionally incited hatred and intolerance between ethnic groups in Kosovo through his public activities at a religious celebration.

German embassy: A big step for clean rivers and public health (media)

The Germany Embassy in Kosovo said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that they’re celebrating the signing of a co-financing agreement between the municipalities of Prishtina and Fushe Kosove and the Regional Water Company Prishtina – a joint step towards cleaner rivers in Kosovo. “For too long, untreated wastewater has polluted Kosovo’s rivers like the Sitnica, threatening the health of humans and the environment. With the support of German Cooperation, Prishtina & Fushe Kosova have decided to change this. Our joint projects aim at modernizing the sewage network and the main water collectors in Prishtina, Graqanica, Fushë Kosova and Obiliq. Prishtina is providing €9 million, Fushë Kosova €2 million and the German government a grant of €42 million, via KfW. In a future further step, the project will include a modern Wastewater Treatment Plant in Fushe Kosova – serving 500,000 people of the region, with great financial support of the EU, France, EBRD and WBIF and fully aligned with EU standards – bringing Kosovo a step further towards the EU,” the embassy said.

Bogojevic: People in Leposavic complaining against Elektrosever (media)

Several news websites report that deputy mayor of Leposavic municipality, Marina Bogojevic, said on Wednesday that residents in Leposavic have filed complaints against Elektrosever – a Serbian energy provider licensed in Kosovo – over high electricity, missing bills and power cuts without prior notification. Bogojevic said that residents of several new apartment blocks in Lesak have complained to have received excessive bills while some other families have not received any electricity bills and are faced with disconnection. She also said that the municipality has engaged an attorney to address the people’s problems with electricity.

Panduri: CEC member Gordana Laban Zuvic linked to parallel structures (TV Dukagjini)

Author of the show “Debat Plus,” Ermal Panduri, has published what he claims to be exclusive details about Central Election Commission member Gordana Laban Zuvic. “Gordana Laban Zuvic, member of the Central Election Commission (CEC) from the political entity ‘Serbian List,’ also works in the position of ‘employment officer’ within the so-called ‘National Employment Service,’ branch in Gracanica, a parallel structure,” Panduri wrote.

According to Panduri, Gordana Laban Zuvic has been working in this parallel institution as an “employment officer” since 2020, meaning she was employed only a few months before being appointed as a member of the Central Election Commission.

Previously, on the show “Debat Plus,” Ermal Panduri also revealed exclusive details regarding Constitutional Court judge Ramodir Laban, noting that members of his family are employed in Serbian parallel structures as well. “Exclusively on Debat Plus, we also present some information about his family: Laban’s wife, Radoica, has worked since 2020 as a librarian in the parallel medical school in Gracanica; his son Aleksandar, a lawyer, since 2023 has been working in the parallel Assembly of the Municipality of Decan; while his other son, Arso, is employed in the so-called City Museum of Mitrovica,” Panduri reported on Kosovo’s most-watched political program, “Debat Plus.”

Serbian Language Media

UNS and DNKiM: Whereabouts of Slavuj and Penezic still unknown, many other journalists abducted as well (media)

The Journalists' Association of Serbia (UNS) and its Kosovo branch (DNKiM) marked the 27^th anniversary of the abduction of Radio Pristina journalists Đuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenić, who disappeared on August 21, 1998, on the Velika Hoca-Zočište road, Orahovac municipality, while on their way to do a reportage on the return of monks from Holly Healers Monastery in Zociste, previously kidnapped by KLA. Their fate remains unknown, and their families still did not receive official information about their whereabouts. These two journalists’ associations recalled that many other journalists were either abducted or killed in Kosovo, before, during and after the conflict in 1999.

At the site of their abduction, UNS and DNKiM placed a memorial plaque, which has been destroyed nine times so far. The inscription, in both Serbian and Albanian languages reads - Our colleagues, journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Penezic were abducted here on August 21, 1998 – We are looking for them.

"In 2017, EULEX confirmed that Perenić and Slavuj were abducted by KLA members, who took them at gunpoint in an unknown direction", the UNS statement says, adding that many other journalists were abducted during the height of the conflict in Kosovo, and there is still no official information about their disappearance or those responsible for it.

- Journalist and translator Aleksandar Simović disappeared on August 21, 1999, in Priština. Part of his remains were found in the village of Obrinje near Glogovac.

- Correspondent for Politika daily and journalist of Priština-based Jedinstvo, Ljubomir Knežević, was abducted on May 6, 1999, near Vučitrn at the foot of Mount Čičavica.

- Photojournalist Momir Stokuća was killed on September 21, 1999, in the house where he lived in central Priština.

- On September 9, 2000, Marjan Melonaši, a journalist with the Serbian editorial office of Radio Kosovo, also disappeared in Priština.

- Krist Gegaj, editor of Radio Television Priština, was killed in Istok in September 1999, three months after the arrival of international forces.

Between 1999 and 2005, several journalists were killed in Kosovo, including:

- Afrim Maliqi (Bujku) in 1998

- Enver Maloku (Informator, Kosovo Information Center) in 1999

- Shefki Popova (Rilindja) in 2000

- Xhemail Mustafa (Bota Sot) in 2000

- Bekim Kastrati in 2001

- Bardhyl Ajeti in 2005. It is known that Bardhyl Ajeti was killed from a moving vehicle near the village of Bresalce.

"The investigation into the missing and murdered persons was first conducted by UNMIK, then by EULEX, which confirmed that KLA members abducted Perenić and Slavuj. The responsibility for shedding light on these crimes now lies with Kosovo institutions", concludes the statement from the Journalists' Association of Serbia and its Kosovo branch.

Whereabouts of Radio Pristina journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic abducted near Orahovac in 1998 still unknown (Tanjug, N1, media)

On this day in 1998, Radio Pristina journalists Đuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenić were abducted on the Velika Hoča-Zočište road, and their fate has not been clarified to this day, despite years of efforts by the families, Serbia and Serbian journalists’ associations, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement, Tanjug news agency reported.

“During the conflict in Kosovo and Metohija, journalists, as impartial witnesses of a terrible time, were a frequent target of the terrorist KLA, because the goal was to prevent the truth about the crimes of Albanian separatists from reaching the domestic and international public at all costs and by the most brutal means”, the Office also said.

The fact that the memorial plaque erected by the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and its branch in Kosovo, DNKiM, in memory of abducted colleagues has been repeatedly vandalized and desecrated proves that there is no social climate in Kosovo for dealing with the past and shedding light on the numerous crimes committed against Serbian civilians, it added.

And this sad anniversary, the Office for KiM noted, is being used as an occasion to once again most resolutely demand that in the name of truth and humanity, an end to the systematic campaign to cover up crimes be put to rest.

"The families of the victims have an inviolable right to know what the fate of their loved ones is, and the truth is also a condition to finally put an end to various mystifications about the terrorist KLA and its criminal methods", the Office concluded, N1 reported.

A memorial plaque dedicated to the missing journalists Slavuj and Penezic, bearing inscriptions in Serbian and Albanian languages – Our colleagues, journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Penezic were abducted here on August 21, 1998 – We are looking for them – had been vandalized and demolished nine times in a row. Each time UNS and DNKiM installed a new one.

Family appeals to international community for release of Dragan Nicic (Radio KIM, media)

A year has passed since the arrest of Dragan Nicic from Pasjane accused of allegedly committing war crimes against the civilian population, and the investigation into the case he is accused of is still stalling, Radio KIM reported.

It is for this reason that Dragan’s son Bojan Nicic sent an appeal to the representatives of the international institutions, human rights organizations and relevant judicial bodies, requesting the halt to, as it was said, unjustified criminal proceedings against his father.

“We expect mostly from them to undertake some steps. We addressed both Serbian and Kosovo institutions, but we expect mostly the international community to do something in this regard. We feel that his human rights are endangered. Since our father was arrested we have lived under stress. I go to visit him twice a month, but it is very hard, accompanied with rigorous measures and searches”, Bojan said.

Dragan’s wife, Teodora Nicic described her husband as decent, just and honest. His elder son, Srdjan, who is a history professor, said their family is one of the oldest in this area and had never had any problems with the Albanian community, moreover as his father worked as a teacher in Albanian language.

The Nicic family believes Dragan is innocent and that justice will prevail in the end. However, what concerns them are traumas their family is experiencing now and the health condition of 67-year old Dragan who remains in detention ever since his arrest, Radio KIM reported.

Construction of bridge connecting Mitrovica South and Mitrovica North in its final stage (Kosovo Online, media)

Ten days ahead of a deadline, set for completion of works, construction of a bridge over the Ibar River, not far from the existing main one, connecting Mitrovica South and Mitrovica North has entered its final stage, Kosovo Online portal reports today. The portal added that heavy machinery and workers were engaged in the works since early morning, working on access points and preparation to asphalt the bridge. The foundation stone for this, and another pedestrian bridge, this one in the near vicinity of a main one as well, were laid by technical PM Albin Kurti on July 1.

At the beginning of July, Serbian people from the north, in organization of Serbian List filed a petition signed by more than 3.600 persons opposing construction of bridges, arguing that they present a major security risk and provocations. A petition with signatures was handed over to the representatives of the international organizations present in Kosovo.

Reaction of Marko Jaksic to recruitment process at Regional Water Company in Mitrovica South (social media)

Marko Jaksic, mayoral candidate of the newly established Civic Initiative (CI) North For All from Mitrovica North in a post on his social media accounts reacted to the news on recruitment process in the Regional Water Company in Mitrovica, i.e. the potential integration of workers that were part of the Belgrade-run Water Supply Company in the north.

“First, someone forcibly raids and seizes the water supply system that was built by someone else (Serbia), then nationalizes it?!, and then there is the “integration” or employment of A PART of former employees (the rest who cares) of the same water supply system in the company that usurped it, with the toasting of those for whom property should be sacred (but obviously the EU acquis is less important in Estonia or does not apply to Serbs).

“And that certainly could not happen without the consent of the Serbian List and its bigwigs, who apparently act here in the name of Serbia (because there is some talk of preserving the 60% salary - and where there is smoke, there is fire), instead of fighting against the seizure. At least declaratively. However, they remained silent and took refuge while Kurti seized Serbian institutions (it will turn out in the end that leaving the institutions was also with the intention of making his job easier). But that wasn’t enough, they are now helping him legalize the theft, with the congratulations of the EU.

“The return of the water supply and water factory in Gazivode as regional for the municipalities in northern Kosovo will be one of the goals of the CI North For All and I believe that future representatives of local governments in the other three municipalities will agree on this. The theft cannot be legalized, nor what the Serbian List is doing in secret to formalize it can be supported and forgiven... Unless you like it and have nothing against it...Then nothing!”, he wrote in reaction.

Nine cases of domestic violence reported in Kosovo in last 24 hours (Radio kontakt plus)

Kosovo police said nine cases of domestic violence were reported over the last 24 hours in different cities and towns across Kosovo, Radio Kontakt plus reported.

The victims were mainly women and children, while the suspects were mainly husbands, former partners or close family members.

As Kosovo police said in its latest report the largest number of cases were reported in Pristina and Pec, while other cases were registered in Glogovac, Gnjilane, Klina, Orahovac and Stimlje.

Sensational headlines on Kosovo: how Serbian tabloids blur line between news and manipulation (KoSSev)

On August 13, the Serbian tabloid Alo published a headline that read: “ARMED TERRORISTS OPEN FIRE ON SERBIAN CHILDREN FROM GORAZDEVAC SWIMMING IN THE BISTRICA – TWO KILLED.” The dramatic wording could easily lead readers to believe a new tragedy had taken place. In reality, the article was not about a recent incident, but a reminder of a crime that occurred 22 years ago, KoSSev portal reported today.

The piece referred to the attack on August 13, 2003, when Serbian children in the village of Gorazdevac, were gunned down while swimming in the Bistrica River. Eighteen-year-old Ivan Jovović was killed instantly, while 12-year-old Pantelija Dakić died in hospital. Four others - Đorđe Ugrenović (20), Bogdan Bukumirić (14), Marko Bogićević (12), and Dragana Srbljak (13) - were wounded, two of them seriously. No one has ever been held accountable for the crime.

Although the body of the article makes clear that it is an anniversary piece, the absence of a time marker in the headline risks misleading readers - some of whom only skim titles - into thinking that another attack has taken place.