Jahjaga: Extremism poses threat to Kosovo’s national security (Zeri)
In an interview for the paper, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga says the recent arrests of people suspected of terrorist activities was done in order to maintain national security and prevent a threat that does not concern Kosovo alone. Jahjaga said there was no international pressure to arrest the 40 people suspected of terrorism. “This threat goes beyond Kosovo’s borders,” she said. Jahjaga added that the arrested people are an isolated group and were manipulated. She also called on the people of Kosovo to not support ideologies that are against Kosovo’s ideals and values.
International arrest warrant issued against Lavdrim Muhaxhiri (dailies)
Several dailies report that Interpol has received a request from Kosovo authorities to include Lavdrim Muhaxhiri in the wanted list. A judge in the basic court in Ferizaj/Urosevac told RTK that the court has issued the international arrest warrant. Muhaxhiri is fighting in Iraq alongside the terrorist organization ISIS.
Rexhepi: Internationals prevented me from combating extremism (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Interior Affairs Minister Bajram Rexhepi told the paper on Friday that in 2004 when he was Prime Minister of Kosovo, he had taken the initiative to stop extremism in Kosovo but that he was stopped by internationals. Rexhepi said he had proposed a draft law that would prevent religious organization but international officials in Strasbourg stopped him. “I proposed to the working group to prepare a paragraph that would prevent a sectarian (religious) organization which is foreign to our traditional program, in other words to sanction it by law. But international officials in Strasbourg intervened and prevented this procedure. This is all,” Rexhepi was quoted as saying.
Vjosa Osmani to represent opposition bloc in Constitutional Court (Botapress)
The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and its partners, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) have agreed that LDK MP Vjosa Osmani will represent their coalition in the Constitutional Court on 22 August. LDK deputy leader Teuta Sahatqija said the coalition bloc is prepared to defend its case in court. “We have arguments that are in our favor and we have made sufficient preparations to defend our right to a post-election coalition,” Sahatqija said.
“Coalition of LDK-AAK-NISMA and Vetevendosje, a stable government” (Epoka)
In an interview for the paper, Vetevendosje deputy leader Shpend Ahmeti, said a coalition between the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) and the Vetevendosje Movement would provide a stable government for Kosovo. Ahmeti however also said that such a coalition government would be possible only if LDK-AAK-NISMA accept Vetevendosje’s terms and not the conditions put forward by the Serbian List. He added that the inclusion of the Serbian List in the Kosovo Government would mean that the latter will not be stable and will be conditioned by Belgrade.
Belgrade calls on northerners to prepare 2015 budget (Koha)
The Serbian Government’s Ministry of Finance has asked parallel municipalities in the northern part of Kosovo to prepare their 2015 budgets. The request was confirmed by Marko Djuric, director of the Serbian Government’s office for Kosovo. The request was made despite the fact that the Brussels Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia provides that Belgrade should stop funding and must dissolve parallel structures operating in Kosovo.
Bomb in northern Mitrovica (Telegrafi)
An unexploded bomb was found in front of a jewelry store in northern Mitrovica on Saturday morning. Kosovo Police spokesman Besim Hoti confirmed the information. He said police units went immediately to the site and that the bomb was later set off with the help of KFOR troops. The store was targeted three months ago by thieves who managed to steal jewelry worth €100,000.
