Six arrested for attacks with bombs, Vetëvendosje objects
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The motorcycle that was used for the attack with mortar against Kosovo Assembly Kosovo building and wiretapping through telephone operators were sufficient enough for Police and Prosecution to arrest six persons as the suspected ones for having carried out this attack.
Following several days’ investigations, at the early hours of Tuesday morning, Police searched six locations in which it says that it found relevant facts which are related to this case.
According to Police, following an intensive investigation, they managed to identify the suspects, who planned, organised and carried the attack, for which they also claimed responsibility after the interview.
The arrested persons are Adea Batusha, Astrit Dehari, Atdhe Arifi, Egzon Haliti, Petrit Ademi and Vetëvendosje Movement Spokesperson, Frashër Krasniqi. Deputy Director of Kosovo Police anti-terrorism department, Luan Keka, presented several photos which, according to him, evidence that the attack was carried out by these persons.
Vetëvendosje representatives objected the arrest of its six activists, and denied that the attack was carried by these activists.
Chairperson of this Movement, Visar Ymeri, said that these arrest methods resemble the style of UDB (Former Yugoslavia State Security Service). Whereas, Dardan Molliqaj, Organisational Secretary of this Movement, said they have information that Police exercised violence on activists only to make them accept guilt.
Thaçi considers attack against Assembly a terrorist attack
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Kosovo President, Hashim Thaçi, supported the law enforcement authorities in the pursuit of all those who, as he said, in any way violate the state of Kosovo.
He said that the attack against the highest political institution in the country, the Assembly of Kosovo, was a terrorist attack and this form of political action is unacceptable and intolerable.
“Political violence will have no place in our society and our new Kosovo, which we have built with much sacrifice. I support the law enforcement authorities to be uncompromising in the pursuit of all those who in any way violate the state of Kosovo. For their work they deserve recognition from all of us,” President Thaçi said.
Kosovo Government also reacted regarding the recent developments. This institution calls on citizens and political entities to give their contribution in advancement of state-building processes by avoiding violent forms and non-democratic methods.
The Government also expressed its support for the law enforcement authorities.
EBU appalled by attack on home of RTK’s Director General
(RTK2&RTK1)
Reactions related to the grenade attack on the house of Director General of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), Mentor Shala, went on. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said that this attack and the earlier ones are against the media freedom. EBU reminds that a free public service media is essential to democracy of countries.
The EBU said they were appalled to learn of a grenade attack on the house of the Director General of RTK.
The press statement of this Union writes the entire family was inside at the time of explosion at Shala’s house. EBU quotes the words of Shala as saying that ‘someone wants to threaten us and pressure us politically, but the mission of RTK is to inform all citizens of Kosovo in an independent and pluralistic manner and we continue to do our job and not give up.’
Through this statement, EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre, also reacted: “I am deeply concerned to learn of the attack on Mentor’s home this week and thankful that nobody was injured in the incident. “It is worrying that attacks on freedom of the media continue in Kosovo. Free and independent public service media is essential to a well-functioning democracy and every effort must be made to stop and prevent such violence. We hope those responsible for the attacks are brought to justice as soon as possible and RTK are allowed to continue broadcasting in safety.”
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also condemned the attack on the home of Mentor
Shala, RTK Director General, and called on Kosovo authorities to protect him, RTK2 reported.
“We firmly condemn the use of threats against a media executive,” said Pauline Adès-Mével, Head of RSF’s Europe-Balkans desk.
Vetëvendosje lynches RTK3 editor in chief Ridvan Berisha
(RTK)
Vetëvendosje published on Tuesday a photo of RTK3 editor in chief, Ridvan Berisha, with one of the police investigators, turning him into a target or dozens of threats. Berisha has also been lynched with harsh and brutal language, online version of RTK reported.
RTK3 editor in chief, Ridvan Berisha, says he is threatened from what he called as “public lynch that Vetëvendosje Movement is doing to his personality as a journalist.”
“I am in the yard in front of my house because I am constantly receiving threatening messages since that photo with that connection was published,” Berisha said.
During Tuesday Vetëvendosje published a photo where Berisha is seen at a dinner where among others, the wife of Deputy Director of Kosovo Police anti-terrorism department, Luan Keka, who carried out investigations against activists of this party which were arrested on Tuesday under suspicion of ‘terrorist activity, is also seen.
Thaçi convinced that demarcation will be approved
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Two days ahead of the session on demarcation with Montenegro, Kosovo President, Hashim Thaçi, keeps on being convinced that this issue will pass at the Assembly and that Kosovo will move forward on its integrations path.
According to KTV, he said that the process of demarcation with Montenegro and the one for establishment of the Association of Serb majority municipalities will be concluded.
However, Vetëvendosje says they will oppose this by all means. Vetëvendosje chairperson, Visar Ymeri, said that citizens will be at the square on Thursday at 11:00hrs to oppose passing of this Agreement, while MPs within the plenary session will do the impossible for it not to pass.
Advisor to Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, Bajram Gecaj, wants to believe that there will be no violence on 01 September, but he is no longer surprised by the violence which, according to him, Vetëvendosje shows in each protest that it announces as peaceful.
While a big number of MPs from PDK and LDK have publically expressed their vote against this Agreement, Gecaj says that it is a not a big tragedy if it does not pass.
PDK gives green light to its MPs to vote demarcation
(KTV)
PDK Steering Committee, which met for several hours to discuss recent developments in Kosovo, gave its permission to MPs to vote demarcation at the Assembly, KTV reported on its later news edition.
In the meeting that ended late on Tuesday evening, MPs of PDK caucus were permitted to vote demarcation at the Assembly of Kosovo on Thursday.
Veseli discusses demarcation with Quint Ambassadors
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli held a meeting during Tuesday with Ambassadors of Quint countries regarding the demarcation issue.
Veseli said that ‘Kosovo citizens and institutions are sure and will not let violence to change our political orientation.’ According to him, demarcation and other important issues for Kosovo will be treated according to Kosovo laws and democratic procedures.
Minister Tahiri inspects Iber Bridge revitalisation works
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, inspected works on revitalisation of Iber Bridge after removal of the barricade on 14 August as a result of Brussels Agreement.
Following the inspection, Minister Tahiri together with Mitrovicë/Mitrovica South Mayor, Agim Bahtiri, visited Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North where, according to a press release, they stopped for a coffee at “Dolce Vita” café.
However, aside from Agim Bahtiri, Minister Tahiri did not manage to also meet the Serb Mayor of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North, Goran Rakic, with whom she only spoke over the phone.
Otherwise, Tahiri said that revitalisation of the bridge and its opening for citizens is among the greatest achievements to end the blockades that existed.
Zenun Pajaziti, new PDK caucus leader
(RTK1)
Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) informed that its chairmanship decided to elect Zenun Pajaziti as its new caucus leader.
Pajaziti will be replacing Adem Grabovci who resigned his post following publication of wiretapped telephone conversations by Insajderi, where Grabovci was the key protagonist together with other PDK officials.
