Police, protesters clash in downtown Pristina after Kurti’s arrest (media)
All media report today that Vetevendosje MP Albin Kurti was arrested on Monday evening by Kosovo Police and later released after a three-hour clash between Vetevendosje supporters and the police in downtown Pristina. Shortly after his arrest, the Vetevendosje Movement published a video showing police stopping Kurti. The video calls on Vetevendosje activists and the people to show up in front of police headquarters in downtown Pristina. Once in front of police HQ, several protesters started throwing stones at members of special police units. Police reacted by throwing teargas at the protesters. Vetevendosje’s deputy leader Glauk Konjufca is quoted as saying that “the actions of Vetevendosje activists in front of police headquarters are an expression of opposition to Kurti’s arrest”. Vetevendosje’s organizational secretary Dardan Molliqaj said that if Kurti is not released “the situation will become radical”. A police spokesman told media that Kurti “was arrested because of his recent actions”. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), a partner in the opposition bloc, issued a communiqué calling on law enforcement authorities to immediately release Kurti. The AAK also called on the government and Prime Minister Mustafa to “not use the police for their own agendas … and not make mistakes that can take send the country into violent riots”. Vetevendosje Movement leader Visar Ymeri said Kurti’s arrest was a case of kidnapping. “We have no information why Albin Kurti was kidnapped. Kosovo Police cannot act this way, without giving any reasons,” said Ymeri. He also said that the more Kurti is detained by the police, the more the situation will deteriorate. “We are entering a stage where the Kosovo Police is increasingly taking orders from the government to persecute citizens,” he added and called for immediate release of Kurti. Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) in its reaction said the arrest of the Kosovo MP Albin Kurti shows yet again that the current government is ready to go to great lengths just to maintain power. NISMA warned the government that the more police force the past regimes used in Kosovo, the more the people’s readiness for resistance grew. “Therefore, give up demonstrating force. Today, because tomorrow may be too late,” NISMA said. Following his release, Kurti addressed the protesters in front of the National Theatre in downtown Pristina. “I encourage you not to stop until we put an end to Montenegro’s claims over our lands and Serbia’s claims through the Association [Community of Serb-majority municipalities]. If we will not stop, they will stop, and we should not stop anywhere in Kosovo until we achieve the Republic of Kosovo. The determination you have shown tonight will stop the formation of the Association and the implementation of the border demarcation agreement,” Kurti said.
Mustafa: Violence is unacceptable (Telegrafi)
Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa said in a Facebook post that he wished to believe that the law enforcement authorities act in accordance to the Constitution and demonstrate the maturity that the current situation requires. He said last night’s images of events in the streets of Pristina are regrettable. “It is not up to me or any other politician to interfere in the work of the law and order authorities. We are all equal citizens before the law,” said Mustafa stressing that violence is unacceptable. “We need responsible behaviour in accordance to legal norms, in the interest of stability, especially at this time when we have ahead of us the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with European Union and the finalizing of visa liberalization criteria,” Mustafa said.
14 police officers and one civilian injured last night (Kosovapress)
According to the Emergency Centre in the University Clinical Centre, last night 15 people required medical assistance, 14 police officers and one civilian. The injured persons were released with only slight injures, while one is still being treated at the Emergency Centre.
Jahjaga calls on opposition parties to unblock the Assembly (dailies)
Kosovo’s President, Atifete Jahjaga, called on the Kosovo Assembly MPs to contribute in resolving the current situation in the Assembly and respect the democratic process. Jahjaga made these remarks during a meeting with the German Special Envoy for Western Balkans, Ernst Reichel, with whom she discussed the political situation in Kosovo and its European agenda. “President Jahjaga informed Ambassador Reichel of her stance on the latest developments in the Kosovo Assembly, saying that the violence used by some opposition MPs was unacceptable and it was a behaviour that is contrary to the norms of a parliamentary democracy,” said the press release issued by the Presidency.
Mustafa and Vucic to meet tonight in Brussels (Epoka e Re)
In the context of the continuation of the EU-facilitated dialogue for normalisation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade, Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has invited Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic for an informal dinner to review the progress of the dialogue and the way forward. The dinner will take place tonight in Brussels.
“Veseli responsible for overseeing Assembly’s work” (Zeri)
The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP, Melihate Termkolli, said yesterday that the President of the Assembly, Kadri Veseli, must take all the necessary measures to unblock the Kosovo Assembly’s work. According to her, Veseli’s role in the Assembly is to take action adhering the rules and regulation of the Assembly. “The President of the Assembly is responsible for the work progress in the Assembly. It is quite normal for him to take all measures for the Assembly to continue its work,” Termkolli said.
