Mustafa: Special Court is not against the KLA, but against individuals
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa announced that Government will submit at the Assembly the law on establishment of the Special Court at the end of this week or next week at the latest, adding that Assembly should adopt the establishment of this Court or otherwise the UN may do that.
PM Mustafa said that the Special Court will not be against the KLA, but against some individuals.
During a debate organised by the FOL Movement, PM Mustafa spoke about a number of topics. Commenting the boycott of Srpska List, Mustafa said that they had disagreements in relation to the dismissal of Aleksandar Jablanovic. Mustafa expressed optimism that Srpska List representatives will soon return in the Government and also name the new Minister for return and communities.
On the other hand KTV reported that opposition parties continue to be against the establishment of the Special Court. Opposition parties reiterated that they will not vote for the establishment of this court but also emphasized that they do not exclude potential protests against the Special Court.
Judiciary strike continues
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21 & KTV)
On the second day of the strike of the judges the situation in Kosovo judicial system has been worsened. No court session is taking place in the Basic Courts across Kosovo.
The judges are demanding at least the additional EUR 200 per month, which was promised to them last year by Hashim Thaçi’s government and the increase of salaries for 25 per cent. If the requests are not fulfilled the strike will continue.
Zenel Leku, representative of judges told TV21 that the strike will continue until their requests have been fulfilled.
Meanwhile, Kosovo Judicial Council considers as reasonable the demands of the judges but said that the timing of the strike is not appropriate.
On the other hand Kosovo PM Isa Mustafa in the meeting with KJC chairperson made it clear that the government has no possibility to increase the salaries.
Moreover all TV stations reported that KUCC doctors staged a protest on Wednesday asking for increase of salaries for 25 per cent and implementation of Collective Agreement.
Kosovo Judicial Council supports the strike
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21&KTV)
Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) held a meeting where the judiciary strike was discussed. All KJC members supported the ongoing strike, emphasizing that the increase of salaries for judges and judiciary administration was promised by the previous government but it was never fulfilled.
However, KCJ Chairperson Enevr Peci said that he addressed the concerns of the judges to Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa but the latter did not promised a potential fulfilment of the requests.
Peci emphasized that it is a fragile moment that might cause general disorder since other institutions have addressed same requests to the Government.
On the other hand TV21 reported about technical problems in the newly constructed Justice Palace. According to TV21 Prosecutor Ferdane Sylejmani has collapsed in her working place and suffered body injuries. Her colleagues consider that the lack air and oxygen within the Justice Palace building has caused the incident. According to them beside the ventilation malfunction even the windows are locked and can’t be opened.
Indictments to impede the return process
(RTK2)
The Serb Association of Gjakovë/Djakovica Citizens, through a press statement said that all Serbs that are indicted by the Municipal Court of Gjakovë/Djakovica, on the basis of which EULEX has issued arrest warrants, are on the list to return to Gjakovë/Djakovica. This list was submitted to UNMIK, OSCE and other international organizations.
The Association points out that the indictments are against the persons that have not alienated their property in Gjakovë/Djakovica and hope to return to their homes.
The Association considers that the indictments are targeted against the return of Serb in Gjakovë/Djakovica.
RTK editors and journalists protested
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21)
RTK editors and journalists staged a protest on Wednesday against the appointment of Lorik Arifaj and Ngadhnjim Kastrati as editors-in-chief of RTK1 and RTK3.
Twelve editors of the Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) and other employees of this media staged a protest in front of RTK building, requesting from RTK management and the Board of Directors the dismissal of the editors-in-chief, namely Lorik Arifaj and Ngadhnjim Kastrati because according to them Arifaj and Kastrati have directly interfered in the editorial independence and have breached every ethical and professional norm.
During the protest, RTK security guards intervened and removed the placards which the protestors were holding and stopped other media representatives from entering in RTK premises. Independent Union of RTK and journalists of Radio Kosovo joined the protest too. RTK Union requests establishment of an investigative commission to investigate the actions of RTK management.
However, on Wednesday RTK Director General Mentor Shala abrogated the decision for their appointment. This decision came after RTK Board of Directors demanded the abrogation of the previous decision on the election of editors-in-chief. According to the Board of Directors, the process of election has surpassed the procedures.
On the other hand Arifaj and Kastrati announced that they will take legal measures to protect their integrity.
