Headlines-29042016

Azem Syla surrenders to the police (Koha)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Azem Syla, who is suspected for organized crime and money laundering, has turned himself in to the Kosovo Police today. Syla was wanted by Kosovo Police and EULEX since Wednesday, but, according to his lawyer, he was not in Kosovo until today.

Azem Syla resigns his MP post (dailies)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Azem Syla, on Thrusday resigned his MP post due to land-scam investigation against him. "The investigation started against me is unfair, but I would like to give space and opportunity to justice to do its job without any influence,” Syla said through a written statement.  Syla’s resignation was hailed by Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli. “I encourage other politicians and high government officials, who are facing charges or have open lawsuits, to follow the same path and retreat from the important tasks that have in order to leave justice to do its work,” Veseli said. Syla is suspected of leading an organized crime group related to public properties.

One month detention for six organized crime suspects (dailies)

The Basic Court in Pristina yesterday ordered one month detention on remand for six defendants arrested during a police operation on Wednesday involved in a land scam case. The organized crime group is believed to have damaged Kosovo’s budget for 30 million euros.

Government secretly cooperating with UNMIK (Koha Ditore)

The paper reports in a front-page story that even though the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) doesn’t recognize Kosovo as a state, the Kosovo government is secretly cooperating with this mission. Only in February, according to the paper, three Kosovo government ministers met with UNMIK chief, Zahir Tanin. Also, the Foreign Ministry is planning that in a month time to organize an Interreligious Conference, where UNMIK is expected to participate as well. UNMIK officials confirmed that UNMIK continues to meet with Kosovo authorities on regular basis in all the areas that is mandated for. “We have supported the government activities in the past and we are always considering providing our support to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo and advance regional stability in the Western Balkans. UNMIK continues to implement its mandate in a status neutral manner and operate under Security Council resolution 1244,” notes a response from UNMIK. However, experts of international law say the government needs to treat UNMIK as “the elephant in the room, which neither can leave, nor can be killed.”

AAK will not participate in drafting Association/Community’s statute (Epoka)

Blerim Kuci, senior member of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), told the paper that the AAK will not return to the Assembly and will not participate in drafting the statute of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. He said the protest called by the AAK for 14 May is also a good opportunity for the government to reflect and announce early elections. Kuci confirmed that there were meetings between AAK and Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) officials, but only in the presence of internationals. According to him, the purpose of these meetings was to reach an agreement for early elections.