Jablanovic no longer a minister of Kosovo government
(All monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova, TV21&KTV)
Serb minister Aleksandar Jablanovic who insulted Kosovars will no longer be part of the governing cabinet. This news was made public by Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, who did not tell if Jablanovic resigned his post, or the Government decided to dismiss him.
Mustafa did not speak in details about minister Jablanovic’s dismissal, and he did not tell if Jablanovic left willingly.
At the press conference that PM Mustafa called on Tuesday’s afternoon hours, he also talked a lot about the problems that he has inherited from the previous government.
On the other hand, in a direct phone interview with TV21, Aleksandar Jablanovic clarified that he did not resign his post; implying that he was dismissed by the Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.
Jablanovic said that he does not accept this decision of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa. He also said that Srpska List is disappointed. According to him, this decision is mistaken.
He also said that Srpska List’s stance regarding the governing coalition with PDK and LDK will be known in one or two days, after consultations within the party.
In the meantime, Dusan Janjic, analyst of Serbia-Kosova relations, told Klan Kosova that irrespective to political frictions that happened between PM Mustafa and Jablanovic, Srpska List will remain part of Kosovo government.
Janjic believes that Jablanovic’s dismissal will also be beneficial for Belgrade.
On the late news edition KTV reported thatthe official Belgrade considers as a big mistake Mustafa’s decision to dismiss Jablanovic.
Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric said that they will decide about further steps after the meeting of the Serb members of Kosovo government with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.
Djuric emphasized that Serbia will not accept humiliation of Serb representatives in Kosovo institutions.
Vetëvendosje postpones protest announced for Wednesday
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Vetëvendosje Movement has postponed the protest that was planned to be held on Wednesday. The protest was postponed after Prime Minister Isa Mustafa reported that minister Aleksandar Jablanovic is no longer part of the government cabinet.
Vetëvendosje MP Visar Ymeri said that Jablanovic’s dismissal is a victory of Kosovo citizens. He also said that organization of the next protest is only a matter of days.
Nisma për Kosovën and AAK also considers that the goal of protest has been achieved with Jablanovic’s dismissal from Government.
U.S. Embassy support protests, calls for non-violence
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
The United States Embassy in Kosovo supports protests, but it calls on people to refrain from violence.
The U.S. Embassy urges government, opposition parties, and citizens to demonstrate their shared commitment to Kosovo’s future by ensuring that planned protests are conducted in a peaceful manner. Citizens have a right to express grievances to the government, and the government has an obligation to listen and respond. Constructive, non-violent behavior– in institutions and on the streets – is the only way for Kosovo to advance, the U.S. Embassy underlines.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom Embassy points the finger at organizers of the protest for the violence exposed on 27 January, and the bad image that such violence scenes are causing to Kosovo.
“While they are organizers of the protest, Vetëvendosje, AAK and Nisma should of course take over the responsibility for the violence that happened in the protests,” the UK Ambassador in Prishtinë/Pristina Ian Cliff said.
As far as minister Jablanovic is concerned, Cliff said on Tuesday that he lost the trust of the Albanian majority of Kosovo and, according to him, this makes Jablanovic’s stay in minister’s post difficult.
Four candidates give up the race for Chief Prosecutor’s post
(Klan Kosova, RTK1)
Four candidates for Chief Prosecutor’s post gave up their race for it. They justified their decision with accusations against the Prosecutorial Council. According to them, the Prosecutorial Council has fully ruined the process for Chief Prosecutor, by allowing direct violation of provisions of the regulation.
Resignations were led by the candidate for this post, Shyqri Syla, Chief Prosecutor of Basic Prosecution in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, followed by Imer Beka, Chief Prosecutor of Basic Prosecution in Prishtinë/Pristina, Metush Biraj, Acting Chief Prosecutor of Basic Prosecution in Prizren, and Laura Pula, Deputy Prosecutor at the State Prosecutor’s Office.
This is the second process for Chief State Prosecutor’s post, while the first one was annulled by a verdict of Constitutional Court, since violations were identified in selection of the Chief Prosecutor Aleksander Lumezi. The latter is still in the race together with Agron Galani, Chief Prosecutor of Basic Prosecution in Pejë/Pec.
Two municipal officers arrested
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Two municipality officers, who were arrested on Tuesday by Kosovo Police, have been sentenced to 48-hour detention. They are being detained in Prishtinë/Pristina police station.
The arrested, Radoljub Delic and Ismet Mziu, are suspected of misuse of official duty.
Delic was arrested at his house in Lapnasellë of Gracanica/Graçanica municipality, while the police also searched his house. Meanwhile, Ismet Mziu was arrested inside Prishtinë/Pristina municipality building.
They were arrested as part of the efforts to combat corruption, and other negative phenomena.
