Assembly approves 2016 budget in its first reading
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21
Opposition parties used the same scenario for Tuesday’s Assembly session. At the opening of the session, opposition MPs blocked the podium while Assembly’s security was trying to keep the situation under control.
Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Kadri Veseli blamed the opposition for excluding themselves from the session.
Immediately after, Vetëvendosje MP Albin Kurti fired pepper spray against the Prime Minister and against the ministers, while teargas was fired, too. Speaker Veseli interrupted the session and called for a meeting of the Assembly Presidency. MPs quickly left the Assembly hall, while MPs of the ruling coalition were repositioned in an improvised room in the third floor of the Assembly building. Security guards barricaded the stairs leading to the third floor and blocked the entrance of opposition MPs.
Besides the MPs of the ruling coalition, the session in the improvised room, was attended by the United States Ambassador in Kosovo, Greg Delawie and the EU Special Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar.
Before discussing the 2016 draft-budget, Kosovo Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, considered the actions of opposition parties as criminal acts of individuals. He requested by the legal authorities to take measures against the opposition MPs for, as he said, their violent actions at the Assembly.
Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi also considered the actions of opposition parties as criminal and insane. He said that the Government passed the red line by allowing today’s actions of opposition.
It was stated that 2016 draft-budget, which is around EUR 2 billion, has the biggest economic growth in the region.
Kosovo Minister of Finance, Avdullah Hoti, said that they forecast an economic growth of 3.8 per cent in 2016.
The Assembly approved the 2016 budget draft-law in its first reading. 71 MPs voted in favour, one against, and seven abstained.
On the other hand, the three opposition parties were not allowed by the Assembly security to attend the session that took place in the other room. Opposition considered this session as illegal and according to them; the ruling parties are using the police to block opposition MPs.
Opposition’s protest escalated
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Protest of the opposition started peacefully at the Skënderbeu Square, but only few minutes later it turned a violent one. Clashes between the police and protesters happened immediately after the clashes at the Assembly started.
Many stones were thrown toward the police forces, followed by a pink colour that was also sprayed by the opposition activists. These actions forced the police to use teargas in an uncontrolled manner. The main streets in Prishtinë/Pristina downtown remained closed for a long period of time, as the police placed a cordon to prevent gathering of opposition activists.
After the police dispersed the protesters, opposition MPs came out of the Kosovo Assembly premises. Police tried to reach to Vetëvendosje MP Albin Kurti, when the physical clashes of MPs with the police also happened. Although it seemed that police wanted to arrest Albin Kurti, later on during the day, Kosovo Police denied this.
After these clashes, opposition MPs headed toward Vetëvendosje Movement headquarters, which also resulted with dispersion of protesters.
As a result of these violent clashes several vehicles were damaged, while considerable damages were also caused to the Kosovo Assembly building. Stones also reached the cabinet of Assembly Speaker, Kadri Veseli.
The three opposition parties said that police stopped them from moving freely within the Assembly building. According to them, the session was held in a hiding-place of the Assembly. They also added that the ruling parties are installing a police regime.
Delawie: No one should be above law
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said that he would not want to see that someone in Kosovo considers himself above the law.
“Are the people that are firing the tear gas above the law? I hope not. In the United States, we believe that all should be equal in front of the law and all should be under the same law. I express my sympathy to the members of the Assembly that have suffered from the tear gas, to the police and the staff that had to face this quite difficult situation, with the sole aim to serve to Kosovo citizens”, Delawie said.
MP Haxhiu and several police officers received medical treatment
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The spray that Vetëvendosje MP Albulena Haxhiu and her party member Albin Kurti wanted to use against security members turned back to their faces. This happened when the opposition MPs were heading to the improvised Assembly room where MPs of the ruling parties were holding the session, after they were impeded to hold it in the main Assembly room.
But, both Haxhiu and Kurti ended up requesting medical treatment. Different from Albin Kurti, who recovered to continue with other actions, Haxhiu ended up in emergency unit in a difficult health situation.
Vetëvendosje MP Besa Baftiu said that spray used by security members damaged Haxhiu’s respiratory routes and caused suffocations to her.
While Haxhiu was receiving medical treatment in the Kosovo University Clinical Centre (KUCC), PDK MP Blerta Deliu-Kodra wished her a speedy recovery. In an earlier session it was Deliu-Kodra that suffered from use of teargas, and Haxhiu said that she was pretending.
Two Kosovo Police officers also sought help at the KUCC.
Haxhiu was released from medical treatment, after doctors concluded that she was in a stable medical situation; however, she continued to the pulmonology unit for an additional treatment.
Jordan’s King Abdullah: We are facing a Third World War
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The chaotic situation created in front of the Kosovo Assembly building did not look alike few metres away from it, in the Ibrahim Rugova Square. Kosovo Security Force ceremonial guard performed in honour of the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, who visited Prishtinë/Pristina at the invitation of President Atifete Jahjaga.
King Abdullah considered Kosovo as an example of tolerance at a time, as he said when Muslims are being attacked by terrorists. Furthermore, he considered this situation as the verge of the Third World War.
“As I told Her Excellency, we are facing a third world war against humanity, and this is what brings us all together. This is a war as I have said repeatedly, within Islam, and unfortunately, over 100.000 Muslims have been murdered by ISIS alone over the past two years, and that doesn’t also count for the atrocities that the likeminded groups have also done in Africa and Asia,” Kind Abdullah stated.
President Atifete Jahjaga also condemned recent attacks in Paris, expressing her pledge to fight against terrorism.
“Kosovo will continue to show this determination at home. We will not be a safe haven or a transit route for these elements, and we will continue to work with our partners and international security organizations to further address this matter,” Jahjaga stated.
For his contribution in support of Kosovo independence and its international recognition, King Abdullah was awarded the Independence Order by President Jahjaga.
Arrest warrants for four MPs issued
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
On Tuesday, the Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina issued arrest warrants four MPs of Kosovo Assembly: Albin Kurti, Albulena Haxhiu, Donika Kadaj-Bujupi and Faton Topalli.
The arrests warrants against the MPs were issued as they have not responded to the invitation of Prosecution for questioning in relation to the release of tear gas in the Assembly of Kosovo.
Indictment filed against former Mitrovicë/Mitrovica prosecutor
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
The Special Prosecution of Kosovo (SPRK) has filed an indictment in the Basic Court of Prishtinë/Pristina against V.B, I.K and I S, suspected of receiving bribe, misuse of official duty or authority and trade of influence.
According to the indictment, the defendant V.B, in her capacity as the state prosecutor within the Serious Crimes Department in the Basic Prosecution in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, by using the official authority, she has exceed her official competencies by not fulfilling the official duties aiming at gaining personal material benefits.
The defendant is accused of profiting illegally an amount of EUR 32, 000. The indictment has been filed by a local prosecutor of the SPRK.
One month detention on remand for three terrorism suspects
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
The Basic Court of Prishtinë/Pristina has ordered one month detention on remand for three terrorism suspects that were arrested on Sunday.
The suspects Tahir Isufi from Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Ismajl Zeneli from village Sllatinë of Vushtrri/Vucitrn and Nora Zuzaku from Gjilan/Gnijlan are suspected of joining or participating in a foreign military or police organization and in other paramilitary organizations, outside the territory of Kosovo.
