Two Albanian houses in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north damaged

(RTK1)

Houses of Albanians in Kroi i Vitakut neighbourhood in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North have become a frequent target of attacks by unidentified persons, RTK1 reported.

On Sunday evening, pillars of two houses were destroyed. The houses were being rebuilt by local Albanians with the support of the Ministry for Return.  Furthermore, a Kosovo Police container that served as a checkpoint in Kroi i Vitakut neighbourhood was burnt down on Sunday evening, too.  Besides material damages no casualties have been reported.

Local residents concerned by such actions say that regardless of threats and damages they are determined to rebuild their houses.

Besim Hoti, Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north said that police is carrying out investigations and so far they have not identified the perpetrators.

AKJ requests opening of court sessions to the media

(KTV)

Azem Syla and 38 other defendants faced the court on Monday in the case known as ‘Land’.  However Judge Arcadius Sedek, considering the session of a technical nature, decided to close it to the media, KTV reported.

Usually sessions in this phase are always open.

“Judge requested from the media to leave the session due to the limited space and in order to ensure the participation of 22 defendants, their 21 lawyers, and provide space for officers of the correctional service and the court staff,’ reads a written reply of EULEX.

However, journalists stayed for five minutes in the beginning of the session and there was enough space for all of them.

This is the third time within two months that judges of the Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina have decided to close high profile proceedings to the media.

On the other hand, Association of Kosovo Journalists (AKJ) expressed concerned with the closure of the initial hearing on the case known as “Land”

“The word transparency has lost its meaning in courts,” reads AKJ’s reaction, stressing that this not the first trial that media are not allowed to access it.

“We request from the Courts to open their doors to the media and the public,’ concludes the reaction of AKJ.

Lumezi urges institutions to increase the fight against corruption

(TV21)

Kosovo Chief State Prosecutor Aleksandër Lumezi expressed his determination to prosecute all persons who commit criminal offenses and aim to ruin the economic grounds of the country. Lumezi made this statement during a meeting he had with the representatives from Kosovo Police, Special Prosecution, Tax Administration and the heads of the Special Anti-Corruption Department.

Lumezi requested from these institutions to increase their performance in fighting corruption.

SPRK files indictment against MP Etem Arifi

(TV21)

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo (SPRK) has filed an indictment against the member of Kosovo Assembly, Etem Arifi, and defendant B.G. for committing criminal offense fraud. MP Arifi is charged also for trading in influence.

According to the indictment, Arifi has used his MP position to influence the awarding of subsidies to the non-governmental organisation “Voice of Ashkali Integration”, thus embezzling of € 25,646.00.

Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina uses double standards

(KTV)

Several trials against Kosovo MPs accused of throwing teargas in the Assembly of Kosovo will commence this week. In total there will be three court sessions.  First session will be held against Vetëvendosje MP Shqipe Pantina while Glauk Konjufca, Pal Lekaj, Aida Dërguti, Besa Baftiu, Teuta Haxhiu and Time Kadriaj will also face the court for the first time.

All MPs are accused of attacking official persons while performing official duties and illegal possession of weapons.

But in this case, Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina used double standards by informing the media about the schedule of the sessions and the official positions of defendants, which is not the practice, KTV reported.  Usually, the Court only publicizes schedules for certain cases and not for all high profile cases which are in the interest of the public.  This is also the first time that the Court sends announcements for sessions which are not linked to corruption cases.

Civil society requests clarifications about revitalisation of Ibër Bridge

(Klan Kosova)

Civil society representatives issued a public call to Kosovo Minister of Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica south Mayor, Agim Bahtiri, Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north Mayor Goran Rakic, and representatives of the EU Office in Kosovo, to clarify the plan on revitalization of Ibër Bridge and building of the wall in northern part of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë.  However, none of those publicly invited appeared at the meeting of the civil society organizations. Their absence in the meeting was criticized by citizens who see this as a form of negligence that contributes in creating confusion related to latest developments in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë.

Participants of the debate about Mitrovica/Mitrovicë wall stated that the Brussels dialogue is not transparent, stressing that construction of the wall in northern part of Ibër Bridge, can destabilize the situation.

Civil society organizations of Mitrovica, taking into account recommendations deriving from this public discussion, called on Kosovo’s institutions, to have a serious approach towards revitalization of the Iber Bridge, and answer the requests of their citizens.

Corruption cannot be fought by corrupt officials

(KTV)

Kosovo continues to suffer from corruption, which is largely expressed in public procurement, where millions of euros are allocated for capital services.

Citizens usually lament expenses made by officials such as frequent trips abroad, lunches, dinners, phone and fuel expenses, KTV reported.

There are 35 institutions which deal with the fight against corruption, but citizens told KTV that they do not trust those institutions, as according to them, corruption cannot be fought by corrupt officials.  They have lost the hope and do not even bother to report this phenomenon any longer.

Citizens justify their lack of trust with the non-transparency of institutional officials to report all expenses. According to them, corruption is not only a perception anymore, as all are aware about it.

Afrim Atashi, Director of the Department for Prevention of Corruption said that he cannot provide accurate statistics, but stressed that citizens can report corruption on the phone numbers managed by Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency.  But during Monday, no one answered the phone numbers that have been made available to citizens to report corruption.

Nisma: Thaçi is pressuring citizens to vote PDK’s candidate in Gllogovc/Glogovac

(Klan Kosova)

Nisma për Kosovën branch in Gllogovc/Glogovac published several photos in which Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi is seen together with several citizens of Gllogovc/Glogovac.

According to Nisma, Thaçi is pressuring the representatives of villages and ordinary citizens of Gllogovc/Glogovac to vote PKD’s candidate for the mayor of this municipality.

They considered this act beyond the responsibilities of the President and a serious violation of the Constitution of Kosovo.

Indictment filed in terrorism

(TV21)

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo (SPRK) has filed an indictment in the Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina against defendant N.A for committing the criminal offense organisation and participation in a terrorist group.

According to the indictment, the defendant N.A joined the terrorist organisation called ‘Al Nusra’ in January of 2014.