Headlines

• Syla responds to Tanin’s request regarding his suspected Serb staff member (Klan Kosova)
• MFA accuses Serbian authorities for obstacles at the border (KTV)
• ICK condemns vandalising of Muslim graves in Prishtinë/Pristina (RTK)
• O’Connell criticizes Ministry of Integration for announcing external vacancies (KTV)
• Kosovo’s opposition ready to create future Government (GazetaExpress)
• Kosovo threatens North Macedonia with trade tariffs (GazetaExpress)
• Veseli: Morina will not be extradited to Serbia, he will soon return to his family (KTV)

News

Syla responds to Tanin’s request regarding his suspected Serb staff member

(Klan Kosova)

Recently, the Chief Prosecutor of Basic Prosecution of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica received an unusual request at his office. In this request, Head of UNMIK Zahir Tanin calls on Shyqri Shyla to suspend legal prosecution against the Serb, Dejan Dimovic, a UN staff member in Kosovo.

The latter, together with the Russian Mikhail Krasnochenkov, hindered Police to carry out its duty during an action in Kosovo north on 28 May. They had placed their UNMIK vehicle as a barrier on the road.

Tanin writes to Syla that in order to legally prosecute Dimovic, his immunity as a member of United Nations should be revoked, this should be done by the UN and consequently Kosovo justice authorities should ask UNMIK to do so.

“We ask you to be particularly attentive that in case the legal procedure against Mr. Dimovic will go on with regard to this case, in line with the existing practice, UNMIK must be submitted the request for revocation of Mr. Dimovic’s immunity, together with the evidence regarding the alleged commitment of criminal offences by Mr. Dimovic, as it was highlighted in our letter of 31 May 2019. Awaiting this request that needs to be made and any decision from the United Nations regarding any revocation of immunity of Mr. Dimovic as an UNMIK staff, UNMIK requests that all procedures against Mr. Dimovic regarding this case to be immediately suspended,” Tanin’s request reads.

This request is unacceptable to Chief Prosecutor Syla. He made this known to Head of UNMIK when he responded to his letter.

“We regretfully inform you that Mr. Dejan Dimovic, in compliance with the Law No. 03/l-033 on the Status, Immunities, and Privileges of Diplomatic and Consular Missions and Personnel in Kosovo and of the International Military Presence and its Personnel, concretely based on Article 6 of the same Law, the same does not enjoy immunity from legal prosecution in the concrete case,” letter of Prosecutor Syla reads.

Syla wrote that he would ask UNMIK to revoke immunity for Dimovic only in one case.

“Based on this Law, we will not request revocation of immunity for the same one, unless if you prove us in writing that the actions carried out by him, are really envisaged in his job description, or you have ordered that your staff to also commit such criminal actions, then inform us in writing and we will certainly request revocation of immunity for the same one,” he continued.

Syla reminded Tanin that with an order personally signed by him, the latter had forbid UNMIK staff that on the critical day, namely on 28 May, not to be in the area where Kosovo Police intervened and to avoid movement around it, furthermore, to work from home if need be.

“You, instead of being concerned about the wellbeing of legal procedure against the same, as  you have pointed out in your letter, you should be concerned … about actions of your officials who joined the criminal groups and hindered Kosovo Police in carrying out official duty, by attacking them, and with this they have also helped these criminal groups,” Syla continued.

Chief Prosecutor Syla assured the Head of UNMIK that Kosovo justice bodies will hold a correct, transparent and completed within reasonable time against the defendant.

He called on Tanin not to put pressure like this one any more on Kosovo justice.

“Instead of exercising your pressure on justice bodies in Kosovo to cease investigations against your officials suspected of committing the criminal offences, it would be more human to seek apology to justice bodies in Kosovo and its citizens for the alleged criminal actions of members of your Mission with which you would increase your credibility and probably even add the lost trust of Kosovo citizens in your Mission,” Syla ended.

MFA accuses Serbian authorities for obstacles at the border

(KTV)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, through a press release, has reacted to what they say is the propaganda spread by Belgrade about the Brussels Agreement on Freedom of Movement.

In a press statement, the Ministry reemphasises the commitment of Kosovo institutions to implement the Brussels Agreement and to guarantee freedom of movement for the citizens of Serbia in line with the Brussels Agreement.

They say that according to Article 3 of the Brussels Agreement on Freedom of Movement, “Each party may apply a system through which ID cards will be accompanied by written ‘entry/exit’ documents for persons from the other party wishing to pass on to a third country”.

“Kosovo Border Police is fully implementing the Brussels Agreement and Serbian citizens with ID card are able to enter Kosovo without any hindrances. Moreover, barriers at the border are being caused by the Serbian border authorities, which have led to a long period of waiting for citizens willing to enter Kosovo,” the statement reads.

They say Kosovo rejects all Belgrade fake news efforts to show another reality of the Agreement on Freedom of Movement.

“Kosovo remains committed to its international obligation and freedom of movement will be ensured for all those who wish to enter Kosovo in accordance with the Brussels Agreement,” the statement further said.

ICK condemns vandalising of Muslim graves in Prishtinë/Pristina

(RTK)

The Presidency of the Islamic Community of Kosovo (ICK) received with concern the news that Muslim graves in Prishtinë/Pristina were damaged and vandalized.

“According to information available to us, on 06 August 2019, unidentified persons have vandalized 11 graves, by damaging their gravestones. Except that it is forbidden by religious principles, attacking graves is an ugly and unacceptable act regardless of who commits it,” the reaction reads.

The ICK Presidency asks relevant bodies to find out who the perpetrators are and to bring them to justice as well as taking of necessary measures so that such acts are not repeated in the future.

 O’Connell criticizes Ministry of Integration for announcing external vacancies

(KTV)

 The departing British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, criticized the Ministry of European Integration’s decision to announce five vacancies for external competition.

Through a Facebook he says that Kosovo is obliged not to conduct external recruitment to the civil service until it has provided work placements to all the returning Young Cell Scheme scholars.

According to him, Kosovo needs its public administration to have the most professional staff available.

“The Young Cell Scheme, financed by the European Union for many years, gives Kosovo the opportunity to benefit from the talent and skills of its young people,” he wrote.

He says that the Ministry of European Integration’s decision to announce five vacancies for external competition directly contravenes Kosovo’s own commitment.

“The staff of the Ministry of European Integration who oppose this violation should be commended for their courage and dedication to the law and international obligations, and should not face disciplinary measures,” he went on further.

He added that Kosovo needs civil servants like these, who will stand on the side of right, in the face of political pressure.

“They are today’s heroes,” O’Connell ended.

In the meantime, civil society organisations considered the vacancies illegal.

Kosovo’s opposition ready to create future Government

(GazetaExpress)

Head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa, hosted on Thursday Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Piero Sardi. Mustafa informed Italian Ambassador on LDK’s preparations for early elections.

“Chairman Mustafa informed Ambassador Sardi on LDK’s preparations for early elections. LDK prefers to enter elections campaign alone and will follow actions of other parties in order to take actions in compliance with political circumstances,” it is stated in a press release issued by the LDK.

This opposition party in current legislation says that they are against pre-election coalitions.

“But above all we are working to win elections in order that today’s opposition form new Government of Kosovo with a sustainable majority ready to cope with serious challenges the country is facing,” Mustafa is quoted as saying.

Kosovo threatens North Macedonia with trade tariffs

(GazetaExpress)

Kosovo sent an official letter to North Macedonia Government asking removal of tariffs on Kosovo products, namely in fish products. If barriers are not revoked, Kosovo officials pledge to introduce reciprocity measures on North Macedonia products, Gazeta Express reports.

Kosovo’s outgoing minister of Trade and Industry, Endrit Gashi, sent a letter to North Macedonia minister of Economy, Kreshnik Bekteshi threatening him with trade tariffs.

In his letter Shala asked neighbouring North Macedonia to revoke tariffs on Kosovo goods, namely fisheries and fish products. “If tariffs are not revoked we will consider introducing of reciprocity measures in North Macedonia exports,” Shala write in his letter.

Veseli: Morina will not be extradited to Serbia, he will soon return to his family

(KTV)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli said that Tomor Morina, a former KLA soldier detained in North Macedonia days earlier, will never be extradited to Serbia and will soon be returned to his family.

In a Facebook post, Veseli said he had been in touch with the Kosovo Embassy in Skopje, but also with Morina’s lawyer.

“He will not be extradited to Serbia at all and the practices of Interpol arrest warrants generated by Milosevic’s time and mentality must end. He will soon return to his family,” Veseli said.

He said that Kosovo will always be grateful to veterans like Tomor for their sacrifice and will never leave them alone.