Zbogar: All the recent actions of the opposition are violations

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, thinks that all actions of the opposition, starting from the eggs to throwing of teargas, are violations. Zbogar also blamed the Government, because he said that dialogue between parties is needed. He made these comments in the Kosovo Assembly European Integrations Committee.

The EU Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, assured Kosovars that the Stabilisation and Association Agreement is the same as with all other countries of the region. Zbogar said that with the signing of SAA, Kosovo relations with EU have moved to a higher level.

However, in this meeting, which was called to discuss the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the current political crisis was rather discussed.

The only MP of the opposition that is continuing to take part in Assembly committees, Ilir Deda, said that Kosovo should not have been brought to the position when an international mediator will be needed to solve the crisis.

In the meantime, LDK MP, Vjosa Osmani, requested Samuel Zbogar’s opinion if sending of the agreement for assessment in Venice Commission would be considered appropriate.

But, Zbogar did not reply, saying that assessment of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo should be awaited first, and that its verdict must be respected.

Ymeri announces obstruction of Assembly session on budget

(KTV)

Joint opposition will not back down from its actions. Their next step will be obstruction of the Assembly session expected to discuss 2016 budget of Kosovo. This was stated by Vetëvendosje chairperson, Visar Ymeri, in the KTV Rubicon show.

He also spoke about solution of political situation, passing the buck to Government of Kosovo, while he did not rule out the possibility of a governing coalition with PDK and LDK in the future.

Ymeri announced widening of protests in case that Prime Minister does not distance himself from agreements on the Association and demarcation and state that these agreements cannot be implemented.

He considers ratification of Stabilisation and Association Agreement as a hasty move, saying that government leaders should not have signed it as it is.

Ymeri said that he has little trust on the Constitutional Court for the fact that, as he said, it has been captured by the power. In case of new elections, Vetëvendosje chairperson said that opposition might also run with a joint list.

Opposition MPs turn back Prosecution invitation

(KTV)

Members of Kosovo Assembly from the opposition parties have turned back invitation of the Prosecution for interview in relation to throwing of teargas at the Assembly.

State Prosecution confirmed to KTV that they are looking into legal ground for taking further actions.

But, they have implied that arrest warrants will be requested for Albin Kurti, Albulena Haxhiu and Faton Topalli of Vetëvendosje, as well as Donika Kadaj – Bujupi of AAK.

Their final deadline for appearance in front of the prosecutor was on Friday. They have publically said that they will not respond to these invitations, as they consider throwing of teargas in the session as a political action.

Kosovo lacks accountability system

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Justice system in Kosovo is not managing to promptly implement provisions for confiscation of illegal assets.

A report of the Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) titled “Confiscation of illegal assets in Kosovo. Time for a new policy,” shows that even prosecutors and judges are not managing to promptly implement provisions on confiscation.

According to Prosecutor Shqipdon Fazliu, national coordinator in the war against economic crime, what is missing is the accountability system to hold responsible the judges and prosecutors that are not managing to confiscate illegal assets.

The British Ambassador in Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, also said that illegal assets must be confiscated. According to him, corruption in institutions is systematically going on.

Meanwhile, chief executive officer of the Kosovo Agency for Administration of Sequestrated or Confiscated Assets, Rrahim Rama, considers that prolongation of cases in courts still remains an issue.

Haradinaj to file charges against Pejë/Pec Mayor

(TV21 & KTV)

AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj will file charges against the Mayor of Pejë/Pec Municipality, Gazmend Muhaxheri, of defamation.

Through his lawyer, Arianit Koci, Haradinaj issued a letter announcing a lawsuit against Muhaxheri.

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, Muhaxheri said that Haradinaj’s influence in Pejë/Pec has fallen; nevertheless he (Haradinaj) is still making money with fuel stations and gambling.

Koci considers Muhaxheri’s statements as an insult and grave slander against Haradinaj. Koci also announced that he will file the charges against Muhaxheri on Wednesday. He called on Pejë/Pec Mayor not to misuse the media space for his political goals.

RTK crew assaulted at KUCC

(RTK1)

Radio and Television of Kosovo (RTK) journalist and cameraman were physically assaulted by a member of private security company in the hall of Kosovo University Clinical Centre (KUCC) gynaecology clinic.

The assault happened at the presence of official of KUCC Central Pharmacy, Njomëza Mustafa, while the RTK crew received prior permission in writing to prepare a TV story in this institution.

Kosovo Police spokesperson, Agron Borovci, said that Police was dealing with the case.

RTK expressed its concern about this assault, and seriously condemned the violence used against its journalists and cameraman. The Association of Kosovo Journalists (AKJ) also condemned the assault.

Judge ordered 30-day detention for Prizren education director

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

Pre-trial judge in Prizren Basic Court ordered 30-day detention measure for education director in the Municipality of Prizren, Nexhat Çoçaj.

In the meantime, the other arrested persons, Almir Sahiti, Reshit Kushaj, Elbasan Shosha, Ferdi Kovaçi and Ruzhdije Kurtaj were put under house arrest.

These six officials of Prizren municipality are suspected of misusing the official duty.

Jevtic and Rao discussed closure of collective centres

(RTK2)

Kosovo Minister for Communities and Returns, Dalibor Jevtic, and the UNHCR Kosovo’s Chief of Mission, Narasimha Rao, discussed closure of collective centres and return of internally displaced people (IDPs), for the return of which 134 houses have been built only over the course of this year.

After the meeting, Jevtic and Rao said they agreed that future cooperation on all the issues is crucial for implementation of a qualitative return process, and to the benefit of IDPs.