Lunacek: Visa liberalisation for Kosovo in two or three years
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament Ulrike Lunacek said that expectations of Kosovo citizens for visa free traveling to the EU Member Countries at the end of this year would not happen. Moreover, she said that it could not happen even in 2015, and she hopes it will happen within the next two or three years.
Lunacek criticised the approach of the Government and of other political parties with regard to the election reform. She said that Prime Minister Thaçi did not keep his promise that the reform would be completed within the deadline.
“Reform will be very dim in the elections that will be held this year. From what I can hear it is already clear that the President again will be elected by the Parliament, that there will be only one constituency, lists will be open but slightly reduced. Parties are not willing to do the reform, and I am very sorry about it,” Lunacek said.
At the end of her mandate as rapporteur for Kosovo, Lunacek stated that the EU would not interfere if Kosovo decides not to extend reserved seats for minorities.
Talking about elections in north, Lunacek said that it is up to elected mayors in that area to improve lives of local Serb citizens. She said she expected turnout of Serbs in the 23rd February elections in north Mitrovicë/Mitrovica.
At the end of her two-day visit, Lunacek said that Kosovo should take seriously fighting organised crime and corruption.
Inaugural session of Klokot/Kllokot municipality held
(RTK2)
The inaugural session of Klokot/Kllokot municipality was held on Tuesday, where the Assembly President and his deputy were elected. Zarko Dejanovic of Independent Serb Liberal Party (SLS) was elected the Municipal Assembly President with secret vote, who held the same position in the previous local government. Besides the five municipal councillors of his political entity, the three Albanian councillors of PDK voted in his favour.
His counter candidate Milorad Mirkovic of Srspka Civic Initiative got seven votes. In the meantime, Doruntina Rexhepi of minority communities was elected as the Deputy Assembly President with a majority of votes.
The inaugural session was held at the premises of Culture Centre. It was open to the public, while representatives of ministry of local government administration, OSCE and others took part.
Pantic may rerun for mayor only in compliance with Kosovo legislation
(RTK2, KTV)
Krstimir Pantic may run again for mayor in north Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, as it is allowed by the legislation in force. However, it will be impossible for Pantic to become mayor, unless he complies with the procedures of taking oath of office in line with the Kosovo legislation.
Pantic requested from Kosovo institutions to organise elections by respecting neutrality and to grant a special status to northern municipalities, but Kosovo Government says that it will not take Pantic’s requests into the account.
Former MUP members attend short training course
(Klan Kosova)
After attending five days training course, former MUP members are qualified as ready to defend the rule of law. EULEX trainers, who are preparing former MUP members for integration into the Kosovo Police, refused to speak before cameras. However, Director of the Training Department Kastriot Jashari explained weekly training agenda.
On the other hand, Chief Executive Officer of the Police School Smajl Smakiqi believes that this is not enough to wear the police uniform, but he added that they had to enforce the Brussels agreement.
The third group consisting of 73 persons started attending this short training course on Monday, while the exact number of those who will be trained at the Academy is still not known.
State Prosecutor’s Office investigating 2,470 suspects for corruption
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21)
The State Prosecutor’s Office is investigating 2,470 suspects for corruption, National Coordinator for Corruption Cases Laura Pula announced. Presenting report on corruption cases for the period 4 November-31 December 2013, Pula said that over 973 cases were recorded.
According to Pula, since the Action Plan on enhancing efficiency of the prosecutorial system in fighting corruption entered into effect, the State Prosecutor has solved 123 cases with 306 persons. She said that out of 123 cases, the state prosecutor filed 48 indictments against 124 persons, mostly for abusing their official positions.
Kosovo Police: Criminality increased
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The Kosovo Police (KP) statistics for 2013 indicate that criminality in Kosovo has been increased.
The KP director Shpend Maxhuni announced that the number of murders in 2013 was decreased compared with the previous year.
Maxhuni stated that the main challenge to KP was establishment and functionalising of police in north.
On this occasion, the Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi said that the Police proved its professionalism. He added that fighting organised crime and corruption has been a challenge.
Eight Kosovo judges on trial for unlawful legal decisions
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
The main trial of ten defendants who are charged with the issuing of unlawful legal decisions or in assisting in the issuing of the same unlawful legal decisions started on Tuesday. Nuhi Uka, former President of the Municipal Court in Prishtinë/Pristina, is among the accused for assisting in issuing unlawful legal decision.
According to a EULEX press release, the case relates to socially-owned land fraudulently conveyed to private owners, involving eight local judges and two legal representatives.
The prosecution argues that during the period between 2006-2007, Olga Janicijevic, Sanije Muqolli, Shemsije Sheholli and Tihomir Mikaric in their position as judges at the Municipal Court in Prishtinë/Pristina and Rrahman Retkoceri, Ekrem Agushi and Ferid Bislimi in their position as judges at the District Court in Prishtinë/Pristina, with the intent to obtain an unlawful material benefit for themselves issued unlawful decisions in 15 land cases regarding Socially Owned Enterprises (SOE) in Kosovo, thus committing the criminal offence of Issuing of Unlawful Judicial Decision, the EULEX press release reads.
Furthermore, the prosecution has accused three defendants with the criminal offence of Assistance in Issuing of Unlawful Judicial Decision, the defendant Nuhi Uka, in his capacity as President of the Municipal Court in Prishtinë/Pristina, Hasnije Balidemaj as a legal representative, and Gazmend Gashi as the legal representative of the claimants, assisted in committing the criminal offense by facilitating the commission of the crime.
The case is being prosecuted by an international prosecutor from Kosovo Special Prosecution Office (SPRK).
