Jacobson: Tribunal would increase Kosovo’s credibility
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1&KTV)
US Ambassador in Prishtinë/Pristina Tracey Ann Jacobson said that Kosovo should send signals that it is willing to take over the responsibility of dealing with accusations that stood over it for years. She said that the Tribunal makes concretization of three-year investigations of allegations that were claimed in Senator Dick Marty’s report.
“We have reached to that point that this investigation is wrapping up, and I expect that sometime in June the Special Prosecutor Ambassador Williamson, our former Ambassador on war crimes, will provide some information on conclusion of his investigations. It is very important that this happens prior to this time. In fact, this has to do with Kosovo’s credibility and by establishing a special court for Kosovo, the international court based in Kosovo, as well as a residency abroad, where they can examine sensitive issues, such as interviews with witnesses, this would mean that Kosovo takes over its international responsibility and builds its international credibility,” Jacobson said.
According to the US Ambassador, the fact that two-thirds of votes at the Assembly are demanded is challenging.
On the other hand, in a press release issued, the Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) requests establishment of a Tribunal for all crimes committed in Kosovo, namely for victims of sexual violence.
KTV also reported that President Atifete Jahjaga will be the authority that will call on the European Union to establish a special court to try persons responsible for crimes allegedly committed between 1998 and 2000 by KLA members who were mentioned in Dick Marty’s report.
In an interview with RTK1, EU Special Representative to Kosovo Samuel Zbogar said that establishment of the special court for war crimes is at the interest of Kosovo and its citizens, as this court will clarify Dick Marty’s claims.
Mustafa: Assembly should vote in favour of Tribunal’s establishment
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Not everyone is against establishment of the Tribunal for alleged crimes of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Former commander of Llap operative zone Rrustem Mustafa says that the Assembly of Kosovo should vote in favour of its establishment to avoid a decision for this at the United Nations Security Council.
According to him, Dick Marty’s allegations should be investigated in order to shed light on the truth, which, according to Mustafa, is the pure war of KLA.
Petrovic: Cosmetic changes in the electoral reform
(RTK2)
Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo and minister of local government administration Slobodan Petrovic told RTK2 that electoral reforms which do not take requests of Serbs and other communities into account are concerning and do not contribute to further integration of Serbs.
At the end of these institutions mandate, there are efforts to make cosmetic changes in the Law on Elections, which is far from the ones needed by Serbs in Kosovo. Extension of reserved seats is needed and IDPs should be allowed to vote, DPM Petrovic said.
He added that international community representatives in Kosovo support requests of minority communities.
Students call PM Thaçi “thief and cheater”
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi was called “thief and cheater” by a group of students from the “Study, Critique, Action” student organization, while he was visiting University of Prishtina canteen on Tuesday.
Nonetheless, PM Thaçi pledged to implement all the decisions taken by the government.
Ambassador Jacobson met Roma community members
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
US Ambassador to Kosovo Tracey Ann Jacobson visited Roma community learning centre in Gracanica/Graçanicë. On this occasion she congratulated them on International Roma Day and on the tenth anniversary of centre’s establishment.
Jacobson praised the work done by teachers of this centre and called on children to learn as much as they can.
Gracanica/Graçanicë mayor Branimir Stojanovic also congratulated them on the tenth anniversary of the centre’s establishment.
Verdict in abusing official position case
(KTV)
A mixed panel of local and international judges of the Basic Court of Pejë/Pec convicted Isa Salihi of the offence of taking advantage of his office or official authority to assist former judge Kolë Puka issuing unlawful judicial decisions and to thereby acquire a benefit for himself or another.
On the other hand, Judge Kolë Puka has already been sentenced to five years of imprisonment. These offences were committed in Kosovo in 2008 and the case was prosecuted by EULEX.
