Different reactions regarding Saturday’s manifestation of the opposition
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Saturday’s manifestation of the opposition and the arrest of MP Albin Kurti triggered reactions of Kosovo’s central institutions.
In a press statement issued, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga praised the proper passing of the manifestation organised by the three political entities on November 28 and appreciated the dignified behaviour of all citizens of Kosovo on this holiday.
“President Jahjaga considers that protection of democratic values in the country is an obligation and a duty of every citizen of Kosovo at a time when the country is undertaking strong engagements for safe traversing through processes ahead, towards deepening of overall reforms, especially on it path of the European integrations,” a statement issued by the Office of the President states.
While President Atifete Jahjaga calls for restoration of political dialogue, the Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli says that arrest of MPs are not politically influenced. He considers that political means as the only way for solution of the current crisis.
On the other hand, in its reaction the Government of Kosovo welcomed the well-being of Saturday’s protest of the opposition. Government also appreciates citizens’ behaviour and it fully supported the rule of law bodies.
Quint countries encourage all sides to make use of opportunities for dialogue
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Through a joint press statement issued, the Embassies of France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States said they are pleased that Saturday’s demonstrations have passed peacefully and commended everyone, especially the Kosovo Police, involved.
Quint countries said they believe in the power of dialogue as a means to solve political disagreements, and encouraged all sides to make use of the various opportunities for dialogue, including within the Assembly.
“We are committed to strengthening the rule of law in Kosovo. We believe that no-one is above the law. We expect and request all procedures to be followed correctly in the spirit of transparency, especially in politically sensitive cases, and will continue to observe closely cases involving Members of the Assembly. As is the case in our countries, we expect in a fellow democracy for all politicians to be subject to the law regardless of their political affiliation,” the joint statement of Quint countries concludes.
Opposition leaders condemn police action at VV offices
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The three leaders of the opposition parties, Visar Ymeri, Ramush Haradinaj and Fatmir Limaj, met late on Sunday. After a two-hour meeting, the opposition did not make public the further steps that it will take during Monday, or if there will be further protests. They just said that all these things will be made public at the morning hours of Monday.
The three opposition leaders spoke about Saturday’s action of Kosovo Police at Vetëvendosje’s offices and condemned it.
They also said that with their participation in Saturday’s manifestation, citizens once again proved that agreements on Association and Demarcation will not be able to implement in Kosovo.
Ymeri: Authorities intimidated by Saturday’s protest
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Vetëvendosje Movement chairperson Visar Ymeri said that Saturday’s manifestation was dignified and that over 35,000 people took part in it. According to Ymeri, this manifestation intimidated the authorities. He considered the police action as brutal and unprecedented. Ymeri said that these police actions are leading toward a dictatorial state.
On the other hand, Vetëvendosje deputy chairperson Driton Çaushi said that the search into Vetëvendosje offices and other arrests happened with the pretext of Albin Kurti’s arrest.
Çaushi said that activists were beaten by the police during their arrest. Furthermore, they were not even provided the medical assistance, Çaushi said.
Vetëvendosje leaders qualified the things confiscated by the police as fabricated evidence.
Despite everything, Vetëvendosje Movement emphasised the fact that they will not give up their actions even on Monday’s session of the Kosovo Assembly.
CDHRF requests investigation into Kosovo Police action
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
A day after the Kosovo Police operation which resulted with the arrest of Albin Kurti and about 100 other activists, reactions and the balance of this operation’s effect have started to be presented.
Police exposed some of the things which, according to it, were found at the offices of Vetëvendosje Movement. KP Spokesperson Baki Kelani said that police was active in preserving public order.
Meanwhile, the Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms requested an investigation into Saturday night’s actions of Kosovo Police and considered that excessive force was used.
The Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims also considers that violent and unmeasured actions of Kosovo Police, not only against the activists who ended up being arrested, were unnecessary and not proportional.
Out of the 97 activists that were arrested on Sunday night, 11 of them are still being kept in detention.
Appeal for Kurti’s detention to be filed on Monday
(KTV)
Defence lawyer of the arrested member of Kosovo Assembly, Albin Kurti, is expected to file an appeal against the 30-day detention measure set for his client by the Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina. After being set this measure, Albin Kurti was transferred to the high security prison.
Albin Kurti was wanted by the police upon an arrest warrant issued by the court for his role in firing teargas at one of the Kosovo Assembly sessions.
Assembly has fulfilled only 23% of legislative agenda
(KTV)
It is the end of November and the Assembly of Kosovo has managed to fulfil only 23 per cent of its legislative agenda. Continuous blockades that the opposition is making to the Assembly have brought to the point that only three laws pass during the autumn session, while only 30 out of 128 planned laws with the annual plan were passed.
Furthermore, Kosovo Democratic Institute considers that even the laws that were passed on the long session between 23 and 24 October are not regular, because the opposition was collectively expelled from them without any decision of the Assembly Presidency.
Albert Krasniqi, who monitors Assembly’s work, says that Assembly never managed to completely meet its annual work-plan, but this time it is lagging way behind. Krasniqi says that there also two very important international agreements that reach the values of millions, but there is a risk that these funds will be lost as they must be ratified at the Assembly.
Visar Rushiti, policy researcher at the GAP Institute, also says that the Assembly is very late with laws. He mentioned only one case, the draft law on Auditor General, which was also mentioned in the Progress Report. Rushiti says that this draft law has been submitted to MPs in August, while it still has not been passed even in principle.
One injured and several cars damaged in a blast in the north
(RTK2, Klan Kosova)
A blast occurred at around 13:00hrs of Sunday, in Kolashini Street at “Three Skyscrapers” quarter of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north. Kosovo Police deputy director for north, Besim Hoti, confirmed the news to Klan Kosova.
“A Kosovo-Albanian citizen got injured and eight vehicles were damaged by the scraps of the explosive device,” Hoti said.
Among others, Hoti said that rule of law bodies are carrying out investigations and no suspect has been identified or arrested, while the explosive device is also expected to be identified.
This blast comes at a time when a Kosovo company has started renovation of buildings in that area, and, according to Hoti, this might be the motive of the blast, in order for the Kosovo company to halt its works.
