Kosovo Polices arrests 40 jihadist warriors (all monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Kosovo Police on Monday has arrested 40 persons suspected of taking part in the Syrian and Iraqi wars. Special Prosecution Chief Prosecutor Sevdije Morina said that some imams are also under investigations for urging the youth to join terrorist groups fighting in Syrian and Iraqi wars. Furthermore, case prosecutor Blerim Isufaj said that all the arrested persons were part of terrorist groups and this was a sustainable base for their arrestment.

According to the police, around 60 houses were searched during operations that took place in different towns and cities, including the capital, Prishtinë/Pristina, Ferizaj/Urosevac, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Prizren, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, and Pejë/Pec.

In addition, Kosovo Police spokesperson Baki Kelani explained the course of the police operation in 60 localities and confiscated considerable material evidences, weapons, explosive devices, electronic equipment, passports, etc.

“The arrested persons did not behave violently, except for two cases. Their family members were cooperative and they welcomed the action.” Kelani added.

Among the arrested is the deputy chairman of “LISBA” Fatos Rexhepi, political subject that is chaired by Fuad Ramiqi.

Youth Muslim Forum has reacted for the arrestment of Fatos Rexhepi considering this as a political arrest and denounced the violent force used during the arrest of 40 persons.

After the police operation arrests, Kosovo’s President Jahjaga has received the Ambassador of Quint countries in Kosovo, whom she informed on the activities of the Kosovo institutions in the prevention and combating of extremism and radicalism.

The Ambassadors of the Quint countries highly valued the commitment of President Jahjaga and the relevant security institutions emphasizing the support of their governments in preventing and combating the threat from extremism.

President Jahjaga during the day in separate meetings has received the Director General of the Kosovo Police, Mr. Shpend Maxhuni, the Director of the KIA, Mr. Bashkim Smakaj and the Acting Chief Prosecutor of State, Mr. Sylë Hoxha.

One of the Ambassadors that meet with the President Jahjaga Ambassador of UK Ian Cliff stated that “we should send a clear message to youngsters that terrorism has no relationship with Muslim religion”. He also added that extremism is present in Kosovo but in smaller scale then in other countries. At the same time he appreciated the work of Kosovo police during the operation without the presence of EULEX, KTV reports.

Government of the Republic of Kosovo strongly supports the operation undertaken. “Inter-religious and inter-ethnic tolerance, cooperation and mutual communication have always been and will remain unaffected values of our society. Any threat to these fundamental values of the state and our society will be punished relentlessly”, the government statement says.

According to KTV Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi in a statement to Wall Street Journal said that he authorized Monday’s operation to arrest suspected members of groups who fought in Syria and Iraq. “I have authorized last night an extensive operation”.

He also said the government is working closely with the U.S., Turkey and the EU to contain the problem.

AAK believes that this action was necessary for national security, even if late. The statement of AAK states that: “AAK and its leader Ramush Haradinaj long ago requested measures against Islamic radicalism, which is destroying people and families in Kosovo”.

Kosovo police operation was covered in International media such as Reuters, Associated Press, BBC, etc.

“Kosovo has no sons to lose in wars and useless ideologies for Albanians and Europe, and harmful for humanity” said Isa Mustafa commenting the police operation.

LDK leader, Isa Mustafa said “Nobody has the right to transform religion into a tool for massacring people”. The action that was undertaken today should have happened before because the number of those that are being arrested would have been smaller”.

Arrestment of 40 persons that fought in Syria and Iraq was congratulated by Islamic Community of Kosova (ICK). Our country and our believers, in no way, under no circumstance should be part of illegal groups which with their activities endanger the lives of our young people and threaten the security of the country.

Islamic Community of Kosovo invites our citizens to support the state authorities and not fall prey to irresponsible individuals that have no address that manipulate religion for inhumane and not religious purposes. Once again invites believers and especially our youth, to not fall prey to various groups called on behalf of certain so-called jihad caliphate, states the ICK statement.

Jevtic: attack of Serb family’s property in Gurrakoc/Djurakovac (Most monitored broadcasters, KTV, RTK2)

Minister for Communities and Return Dalibor Jevtic condemns the incident some days ago towards the Serbians in Kosovo. “The yesterday’s stealing of the tractor belonging to the three members family of Miodrag Spasic from the village Gurrakoc/Djurakovac in the municipality of Istog/Istok is not only the stealing of the material goods but is also a stealing of the opportunity for existence.

It is clear that the appeal which is directed to the authors is as soon as possible to be found and give effect. I think that such cruelty sends a bad message for all the returnees and that the Kosovo is a not safe place for them, and that influence very badly in the process of return and survival “said the Minister for Communities and Return Dalibor Jevtic.

On the other side the Kosovo caretaker Minister for Return and Communities, Dalibor Jevtic in a press release condemned the attack against a Serbian family in Kamnik of Gjilan/Gnjilane and the case of stealing the livestock from a family in Drenovc of Klinë/Klina referred Kosovo as “Kosovo and Metohija” while he asked for help from the “Kosovo Police Service (KPS)”, an acronym used for the Kosovo Police (KP) before Kosovo declared its independence, KTV reports.

Barricade, is a government issue (Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Mayors of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica North and Mitrovicë/Mitrovica South, and representatives of Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, during a meeting held on Monday agreed to sign a MoU on September 8, to stop construction work until the new Law on Legalization of construction works enters into force, KTV reports.

The caretaker Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Dardan Gashi said that both mayors should reach a compromise and draft a MoU on moratorium of construction in the northern part of Mitrovica within the legal framework of Kosovo.

“I believe until September 8 we will sign the MoU and at the same time we agreed to start implementation of the Law on legalization of the illegally construct buildings in both municipalities as a pilot project,” said Gashi.

Mayor of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica South Agim Bahtiri stated that this memorandum will bring bright days for both communities. Brussels is in charges for Squares, meanwhile for the other works and constructions Prishtinë is in charge.

On the other side his colleague from Mitrovicë/Mitrovica North Goran Rakic said that only with compromises and constructiveness we can reach good things for our citizens. We had a constructive meeting that we discuss for a memorandum that we need to prepare. International community will also be involved for necessary comments.

We are also interested to resolve the case of the “Peace Park” but this will be discussed in Brussels. This was a bit delayed to the delay of the formation of the Kosovo government.

In this meeting were present representatives from US and European Union.