Kosovo Assembly urges Slovenia to release Haradinaj

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Following the arrest of Ramush Haradinaj in Slovenia, Kosovo Assembly held on Thursday an extraordinary session upon the request of AAK MPs. During this session, the Assembly adopted a three point – resolution, urging for immediate release of Ramush Haradinaj. MPs considered the arrest as a provocation whereas Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli and Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi stated that the request to send a note of protest to Slovenia might jeopardise the good political and economic relation of Kosovo with this country.

Independent MP, Shaip Muja considered the reaction of Kosovo institutions, concerning to Haradinaj’s detention, as shameful. Moreover, Muja during his speech, in a demonstrative way handed over his diplomatic passport to the Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli.

Following an hour break, AAK caucus chief Donika Kadaj Bujupi presented for approval to the MPs, a resolution consisting of three demands.

Resolution demands that Kosovo government and President ask Slovenian authorities to urgently and unconditionally release Ramush Haradinaj and enable his return to Kosovo. The resolution also demands that Kosovo government talks with Brussels about the clearance of lists, namely the clearance of arrest warrants issued by Serbia for former KLA fighters. At the same time, resolution demands that the Government of Kosovo sends a note of protest to Slovenia.

The document was voted in the second round as it failed to reach the required number of votes in the first one.

Nonetheless, not all MPs agreed with content of the resolution. Speaker Veseli considered the third point of the resolution as dangerous. Whereas Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi strongly opposed the third point of the resolution, as saying that the third point might risk Kosovo’s relations with Slovenia.

Haradinaj’s arrest was harshly condemned by the KLA War Veterans Association and the Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF).

Slovenian PM Cerar promises fast review of Haradinaj case

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa received assurances from his Slovenian counterpart Miro Cerar that procedures related to the arrest of Ramush Haradinaj would be conducted expeditiously, based on Interpol regulations and based on Slovenia’s obligations towards this organisation.

Office of Kosovo Prime Minister informed that PM Mustafa and PM Cerar had a telephone call about this issue.

PM Mustafa emphasized that Haradinaj’s innocence has been proven in international courts, reads the press release issued by Mustafa’s office.

Meanwhile, KTV quoting Serbian TV station N1 reported that Haradinaj continues to stay in Slovenia. Slovenian justice bodies are verifying the arrest warrant issued by Serbia and a potential request for extradition to Serbia.

Slovenian businesses in Prishtinë/Pristina attacked

(Most monitored, Klan Kosova, KTV)

AAK Presidency decided to continue the peaceful protest in front of the Slovenian Embassy in Prishtinë/Pristina until the Slovenian authorities release their leader, Ramush Haradinaj.

In the evening hours, Vetëvendosje and Nisma joined the protest organized by AAK.

But, members of Prishtinë/Pristina fan-club, known as Plisat, were not peaceful. They demonstrated their support to Haradinaj, by attacking with fireworks Slovenian businesses in Prishtinë/Pristina, such as IPKO and NLB Bank.

President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga condemned the attacks. She urged security institutions to find the perpetrators and called upon Kosovo citizens to remain calm.

Zbogar proposes solution for the ‘Peace Park’

(Klan Kosova)

EU Special Representative in Kosovo (EUSR) Samuel Zbogar presented his proposal for resolving of the disputes concerning to the so called ‘Peace Park’ at the bridge in Ibër River in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, said Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.

However, Kocijancic did not disclose any additional details in relation to this proposal.

Parish house in Vushtrri/Vucitrn stoned

(RTK2)

On the early hours of Thursday, the Parish House in Vushtrri/Vucitrn, which is located within the courtyard of St. Elias Church, was stoned,

Parish priest Simo Cimburovica, which lives with his spouse in the house, said that around 01:30 after midnight he heard the noise of stones being thrown. He immediately informed the Kosovo Police officers that guard regularly in the front of the Church gate.

“Last night, around half past one, I heard a thud that echoed throughout the house, and the sound woke me up. When I got up I heard screams, laughter, and running of youngsters. I noted that they were shooting at the parish house, same as few months ago when they were shooting at the gate of the church. I called the police officer, he reacted professionally, called his colleagues, and they immediately came and conducted investigations. We hope that the perpetrators will be caught relatively easily because a security camera has filmed everything,” said priest Cimburovica.

Meanwhile, the Commander of Kosovo Police station in Vushtrri/Vucitrn Muhamed Alidema confirmed the incident. He told RTK2 that currently all necessary measures are being undertaken to identify the perpetrators.

Prizren Mayor disappointed with his directors

(KTV)

Prizren opposition parties and civil society consider that the municipality of Prizren is the most inefficient municipality in Kosovo, KTV reports.

According to them, this conclusion is supported by the fact that the municipality failed to receive any award within the “BEACON’ program, which is organized by the Association of Kosovo Municipalities and the German organisation GiZ.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Prizren Mayor Ramadan Muja criticized his directors for inefficiency and expressed disappointed with their performance.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties said that it is the Mayor himself that should resign.

Nonetheless, Naim Cahani of KDI emphasized that Ramadan Muja is losing his authority in the municipality.

On the other hand, Municipal spokesperson Ymer Berisha said that the Muja’s criticism to his directors was aimed to increase the commitment of the director for the good of citizens.