VLAN bloc in crisis
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21, KTV)
AAK is against the nomination for Prime Minister of LDK chairperson Isa Mustafa. At least this is what Ramush Haradinaj’s advisor Avni Arifi wrote on his personal Facebook account.
Arifi said that changing Thaçi’s government with a government that has already been seen in Prishtinë/Pristina during Mustafa’s time as a mayor is something that Kosovo does not need. Moreover Arifi emphasized that AAK cannot and will not accept such requests.
RTV21 quoted LDK deputy chairperson Teuta Sahatqija as saying that since the Constitutional Court made it impossible to fully implement VLAN bloc’s agreement, LDK is forced to ask for the review of this agreement. According to her LDK should lead Kosovo’s government.
On the other hand PDK continued to express the readiness for compromises with eventual political partners, who might approach them in order to form the new government. PDK deputy chairperson Xhavit Haliti said that PDK is ready to negotiate even for the position of the Prime Minister with potential political partners.
Meanwhile, Nisma për Kosovën chairperson, Fatmir Limaj expressed against an inclusive government since according to him an inclusive government would not help Kosovo.
Whereas Lista Srpska chairperson Aleksandar Jablanovic, considered that Kosovo Albanian political leaders are misusing the authority which they got following the end of the supervised independence phase.
He suggested to Kosovo leaders to leave aside their interests and to find a solution to the institutional crisis or otherwise, he said that the proposals of the internationals would come into power.
‘FOL’ research finds increase in corruption
(All monitored broadcaster, KTV)
Fighting corruption remains a daily rhetoric meanwhile there is lack of commitment and efficiency to fight it.
Hasan Preteni, Director of the Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency said that the level of corruption in Kosovo is high. According to him key governmental departments, including ministers and other senior officials are involved in corruption. Also a research conducted by ‘FOL’ NGO showed that corruption is spread in all institutions in Kosovo.
According to Preteni the officials besides being corrupted also are incapable. He said that corrupted officials do not hesitate to show their wealth. Preteni considers that in Kosovo there is much talk about corruption, little investigations and no trial.
‘FOL’ NGO also presented its statistics about corruption phenomenon in Kosovo. According to them during the period July to September 2014, 367 corruption cases have been recorded and during the period January to September 2014 over EUR 28 million in assets have been confiscated or frozen.
Fidan Kalaja of ‘FOL’ said that there are many local and international reports which emphasize that corruption continues to remain a key challenge for Kosovo. According to him there is also the lack of efficiency of the institutions to fight the corruption.
‘Courts present the main problems because they are not efficient in treating corruption cases’, said Kalaja. ‘FOL’ reports show that since 2010 there are over 3,000 corruption cases which have not been solved by courts.
The report highlighted the fact that Kosovo Police remains the most efficient institution in fighting corruption.
No religious praying within KSF premises
(Klan Kosova)
Members of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) have been ordered not to carry out religious praying inside KSF premises. Despite the fact that this decision has been said to be temporary, the Kosovo Council for Protection of Human Rights and Freedom (CPHRF) has been alarmed.
Lah Nitaj, spokesperson of Kosovo Security Forces said that KSF mission is currently undergoing a transition phase and that the decision to suspend religious praying is a temporary decision.
The executive Director of CPHRF, Begjet Shala considered that this decision might have been influenced by the fight against Muslim radicalism and according to him KSF may have felt an obligation to do so.
However Shala’s assessment is ruled down by KSF. According to Nitaj the decision for KSF members not to pray inside KSF premises has been taken to demonstrate that for KSF the duty is the priority and not the religion.
But Shala considers that this decision presents a violation of human rights and called on KSF to annul the decision.
On the other hand Islamic Community of Kosovo didn’t comment this issue.
Criminal groups clash in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north
(Klan Kosova, RTK1)
Gunshots, throwing of Molotov cocktails and car chases in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north and Zvecan/Zveçan streets, which happened Saturday night between criminal groups, have troubled the residents of this area.
According to Kosovapress news agency sources on Saturday around 23:55, three Molotov cocktails have been thrown near to ‘Crna Dama’ café in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north and that gunshots and clashes were heard.
Sources said that Kosovo Police in north was informed several days ago about a potential incident but according to Kosovapress sources they didn’t do anything.
Kosovo Police calls on drivers to respect road safety laws
(Klan Kosova, RTK1)
On the occasion of World Day for Road Traffic Victims, Kosovo Police appealed to all drivers to respect the laws and the road safety in order to prevent traffic accidents. Kosovo Police expressed concerned since the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents is not decreasing.
Police statistics show that 119 persons have died in traffic accidents during 2013 and 9813 persons have been heavily injured as a result of traffic accidents.
