Jacobson: I believe that special court will be established (Zeri)
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, on Wednesday expressed her belief that the special court, which will address war crimes allegations, would be established soon. “My stance regarding the establishment of the special court is already known. I believe that this court will be established soon,” Jacobson said. However, three opposition parties continue to emphasize that they will vote against the establishment of this court.
First special court indictments early 2016 (Kosova Sot)
EU Special Representative to Kosovo Samuel Zbogar said in an interview for KTV that the establishment of the special court is necessary as the allegations contained on the Council of Europe’s report include not only Kosovo but also Albania, and EULEX had no mandate to look into them. He also said that the first indictments of the special court could not be expected before 2016.
Thaci: Without special court, our freedom might be undermined (Telegrafi)
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, in an interview with Telegrafi stressed that if Kosovo does not establish the special court, then it gives the right to the others to undermine Kosovo’s freedom and independence. He also talked about the approval of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), saying that it was to the credit of all the people of Kosovo. In regards to the recent events in Kumanovo in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Thaci said that solutions can only be achieved through responsible political processes, and that the Kosovo government condemns and will continue to condemn any act of violence.
“Countries will hesitate to recognize Kosovo due to special court” (Epoka)
The head of the Vetevendosje Parliamentary Group, Glauk Konjufca, said on Wednesday that with the establishment of the special court, other countries would be reluctant to recognize Kosovo’s independence, since according to him, Kosovo will be in a judicial process where the focus would be the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The former leader of Vetevendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, said that the Assembly should discuss the failures of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and not the establishment of a special court. Meanwhile, the former Speaker of the Parliament, Jakup Krasniqi, said that the establishment of the special court suspends the justice system in Kosovo.
Kosovo prosecutors to investigate KLA members suspected of war crimes (Koha)
The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council unanimously decided on Wednesday to establish a special department within the Special Prosecution that will investigate former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army suspected of committing war crimes, as part of the process of taking over cases from EULEX. The Prosecutorial Council also encouraged the Kosovo Judicial Council, the government and the Assembly to undertake concrete steps in establishing a Special Chamber within the Pristina Basic Court that would address serious crimes prosecuted by the Special Prosecution.
Kosovo Foreign Ministry receives list of persons arrested in FYROM (Bota)
Ardian Arifaj, advisor to Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci, told Kallxo.com that they have received from FYROM authorities the official list of persons from Kosovo arrested during the armed incident in Kumanovo. He said they have not, however, received any information of persons possibly injured or killed. At the same time, Zeri quotes one of the members of the armed group, Sulejman Osmani, who managed to flee from the FYROM police, as saying that three members from Kosovo who were declared dead were actually captured alive by the police.
KIA to report on Kumanovo incident (Zeri)
The Parliamentary Committee for Supervision of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA) has asked the Director of the Agency, Agron Selimaj, to report on the involvement of around 20 people from Kosovo in the armed incident in Kumanovo. Security experts say that Kosovo’s Interior Minister, Skender Hyseni, will also report to the Committee that supervises his ministry.
Mirsad Ndrecaj and Beg Rizaj killed during Kumanovo action (Koha)
The government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) confirmed on Wednesday that two Kosovars, Mirsad Ndrecaj and Beg Rizaj, were killed during clashes in Kumanovo. The identities of the victims were confirmed in cooperation with the Interpol Bureau in Skopje. The Kosovo government meanwhile has received no official notification about the victims.
Bahtiri: Decision to rebury Isa Boletini in Vlora, senseless (Gazeta Blic)
After the organizational council for the reburial of the remains of Isa Boletini decided to perform the ceremony in Vlora, Albania instead of the village Boletin in the north of Kosovo, Mitrovica Mayor Agim Bahtiri said the decision was “senseless” and “shameful.” “I have requested that once and for all Isa Boletini’s remains rest in his place of birth. It is senseless to bury Isa Boletini in Vlora. This would be irresponsible and dishonest,” Bahtiri added. He said there is no danger of reburying Isa Boletini in his village. “According to information I possess, the only outstanding issue was whether the KSF [Kosovo Security Force] would be involved or not.” Bahtiri said he hoped Prime Minister Isa Mustafa would find the courage to fulfill the wishes of Mitrovica and Kosovo and rebury Isa Boletini in Boletin.
