Corruption rate in 2013 increased
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Regardless the statements of local institutions that they have been fighting corruption in Kosovo, the corruption rate in 2013 increased. This is stated in the report published by Anticorruption Agency, according to which 128 criminal reports were filed in 2013 for various corruptive offences.
Hasan Preteni, Director of the Agency, said that both the number of officials investigated for corruption and criminal reports was increased in 2013 compared with the previous year. Preteni stated that the suspects for corruption included deputy prime ministers, ministers, MPs, public enterprise officials, mayors, prosecutors, and judges. However, he said he could not make their names public, since that is prohibited by law.
According to Preteni, public procurement is the most sensitive area which generates corruption the most. He says that it is difficult to come out with exact figures on to what extent those affairs have damaged the state budget, but he said he was talking about millions.
Once again, Preteni voiced his disappointment about performance of prosecutors’ offices in dealing with reports submitted by the Anticorruption Agency.
The report data also indicate presence of the phenomenon of multiple jobs. Many officials keep up to four or five jobs, while one official, whose name was not made public, has seven jobs. It was also stated that employment continues happening on basis of political affiliation and nepotism.
With regard to asset declaration, the number of officials declaring is satisfactory, but there are also cases when false declarations were made.
Blomeyer: Kosovo should accept establishment of tribunal
(Klan Kosova, KTV)
The German Ambassador to Kosovo Peter Blomeyer said that Kosovo should accept establishment of a war crime tribunal.
“A self-confident Kosovo would say ‘yes, let it happen’. If there is resistance, it implies that there is something to hide. Crimes are always individual… This does not harm Kosovo’s reputation, but on the contrary, it strengthens its reputation,” Ambassador Blomeyer said.
On the other hand, the British Ambassador Ian Cliff was more reserved. He said that Kosovo institutions should accept dealing with Dick Marty’s accusations.
Bresje Serb family house stoned
(RTK2)
At around 22:30 hrs on Tuesday, unknown persons stoned the family house of Vladimir Mitrovic in Bresje village, municipality of Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje. Minor material damage was caused. Luckily there are no human casualties.
Kosovo Police regional spokesperson Agron Borovci said that police is investigating the case.
The case was condemned by the Gracanica/Graçanicë mayor Branimir Stojanovic and Serbian Office for Kosovo. They called on international community and Kosovo institutions to find perpetrators of attacks against Serbs and their property.
Minority communities divided about Law on Elections
(RTK1)
Political representatives of Bosniak and Turkish communities are in favour of the Law on Elections which will be put to voting in the Assembly on Thursday. Rasim Demiri of Vakat says that he will not condition passing of any law with extension of reserved seats, since he believes that it is hardly likely to happen. Demiri says that Bosniak community would like extension of reserved seats at least for one more mandate.
Turkish community representative Mahir Yagcilar says that on Thursday his political entity will vote in favour of the Law on Elections. However, he added that when some law in the future will require amending of the Constitution, then his political entity will request extension of reserved seats for minority communities.
No representative of the biggest Serb political entity in the Assembly, SLS was willing to say whether they will vote in favour or against the Law on Elections.
Talking to Serbian media, The EU Special Representative to Kosovo Samuel Zbogar reiterated that the EU has requested extension of reserved seats for communities in the Kosovo Assembly, especially because north Serbs are taking part in elections, too.
Domestic violence remains concerning
(Klan Kosova, RTK1)
Violence against women and children remains at a concerning level. Only last year, 52 domestic violence victims were identified, some of them are sheltered at the Centre for Protection of Women and Children.
On Wednesday, the Centre was visited by Prime Minister Thaçi. On this occasion, managers of the Centre said that its capacities were insufficient to accommodate the large number of domestic family victims.
Thaçi promised that the budget for the shelter residents will be increased.
