Assembly passes Draft Law on EULEX and Special Court
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The Kosovo Assembly passed Draft Law on Ratification of the Agreement between Kosovo and EU on extending EULEX’s mandate in Kosovo. This opens the way for setting up a special court, which will investigate the alleged KLA crimes addressed in the report of Senator Dick Marty. As usual in special events, ambassadors and political party leaders were present in the Assembly room.
Prior to discussion and voting for the court, PDK came up with another request: Arsim Bajrami requested a special fund for defending those persons who will be prosecuted by the Special Court, saying that this would protect the KLA war, not individuals.
Eighty-nine (89) MPs voted in favour of the Special Court, 22 voted against, and two abstained. Not all PDK MPs voted in favour of the agreement, and besides Vetëvendosje (VV) and Movement for Unification (LB) MPs, some AAK MPs also voted against.
However, voting was preceded with a lot of debate. Prime Minister Thaçi reiterated that the request of the international community for the Special Court is the greatest injustice which is happening to Kosovo; nevertheless, he called on MPs to vote in favour of it. Thaçi said that Kosovo put its future at risk if it votes against the Court.
Believing in the clean liberation war, PDK and KLA caucuses supported setting up of a special court.
VV MPs said that this was the greatest injustice done to the country, while AAK MPs blamed Kosovo institutions for this situation. PDK MPs were not happy either.
Fatmir Limaj, who was found not guilty by ICTY, said that Kosovo needed another court, namely professional judges and prosecutors who would establish a special court to deal with organised crime and corruption in the country.
The VV leader Albin Kurti explained why it was so easy for Hashim Thaçi to accept a special court. According to Kurti, Thaçi is allowing the tribunal because he believes that he will not end up in it.
The EU High Representative Catherine Ashton welcomed the Kosovo Assembly’s decision for EULEX’s mandate and special court. This decision was also hailed by the US Embassy in Prishtinë/Pristina.
Daka: CEC is ready for elections
(TV21)
The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has started preparations for early elections that are expected to be held in June this year. They say that organization of elections is not an easy process.
“We are making preparations. Of course, we request that an optimal deadline, according to the Constitution, the deadline is 30 to 45 days. We hope that this deadline will be allowed to us, if not 45 than at least 40 days for preparation of these elections,” CEC chairperson Valdete Daka stated.
However, Vetëvendosje member at the CEC Adnan Rrustemi says that CEC is not prepared for many reasons.
Ismet Kryeziu of Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) says that CEC should be prepared; however, according to him, political entities are not demonstrating that they are willing to have a functional democracy in this process.
Serbs will quit Kosovo institutions if Orthodox Church is demolished
(KTV)
Serb community members in Kosovo have threatened to quit Kosovo institutions if they will make decision to demolish the Orthodox Church, which is located at the University of Prishtina campus. This was stated by Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Nenad Rasic, adding that this would cause a political destabilisation in Kosovo.
On the other hand, officials of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning said that if their arguments in the legalisation process will win, then the church may be demolished.
SDP submits petition for Ivanovic’s defence in freedom
(Klan Kosova)
A petition has been submitted to the EU representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar. The petition demands defence in freedom for Oliver Ivanovic, who is suspected of murders during and after the war in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica. Collection of signatures started last Thursday.
According to Ksenija Bozovic, vice chairperson of SDP civic initiative, the petition has been signed by 10,000 persons.
The signatures have been submitted also to EULEX representatives, who promised to forward them to judges and prosecutors.
EULEX files another indictment in relation with Drenica case
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
EULEX filed indictment on two persons in relation with the Drenica Group case. KTV learned that the indictment was filed against Milaim Zeka, journalist, and Rrustem Rukolli, businessman.
“Both defendants are charged with the criminal offence of Violating Secrecy of Proceedings, and one of these defendants was also charged with Attempted Obstruction of Evidence or Official Proceedings. The offences relate to the so-called Drenica case,” EULEX announced.
Gafurr Elshani, lawyer, said he was notified that indictment against Milaim Zeka had been filed, but Elshani could not comment on it for the time being.
KTV tried to contact Rrustem Rukolli, but he did not answer the phone.
