UNMIK Headlines 6 March
EULEX didn’t grant protection to whistleblower in Limaj case (Koha Ditore)
The paper on its front page writes that EULEX did not grant protection or the status of informant to its official before he denounced EULEX’s judge for bias in the so-called Klecka case. The paper claims to possess a recording that proves the conversation on the matter between the whistleblower and another EULEX senior official. Beforehand, the official had sent several e-mails to report that the presiding judge, Manuel Soares, planned to convict accused men in the Klecka case including Fatmir Limaj, writes the paper. According to this official, this was seen as an opportunity to break up the post-election coalition between the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), under the instructions of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and certain officials in EULEX and Brussels.
Luncek: EULEX case related to Limaj to be investigated (Koha Ditore)
European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Ulrike Lunacek said that if there is truth in what the paper has written on Thursday in regards to EU officials interfering in the judiciary in Kosovo, then an investigation should be launched on this case. "No one can be prejudiced without examining the evidence," she said. The Spokesperson for European Union Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Maja Kocijancic, said that the European Union takes all allegations seriously, and if there is a need, there will be investigations into the case.
NISMA: Brussels to investigate Limaj case (dailies)
The Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) requested Brussels to launch an investigation of all those implicated in the scandal published by the media yesterday, claiming that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), in cooperation with former head of EULEX Bernd Borchardt, interfered in the work of the judiciary in an effort to convict the leader of NISMA Fatmir Limaj and eight others in the so-called Klecka case. “According to the evidence published by media, Limaj and others have been tried by a so-called judicial panel, instructed to take a political decision,” stated the press release. Vetevendosje also reacted to the recent allegations saying that the political interferences have transformed the judiciary into a system of injustice in the service of a certain group of people.
Vetevendosje urges PM Mustafa to report to Assembly (Epoka e Re)
The Vetevendosje Movement called Prime Minister Isa Mustafa to report to the Kosovo Assembly on the establishment of the special court. Vetevendosje asked the Kosovo Assembly to initiate the legal framework for the establishment of the judicial structure for addressing war crimes, which would be under the full sovereignty of Kosovo. The motion prepared by the party, says that Kosovo judiciary is unified, independent, fair and provides equal access to the courts.
Two KP officers suspended, suspected of killing Enver Zymberi (KosovaPress)
The head of operations in the Kosovo Police (KP) station in Mitrovica North, Miodrag Lekic and his brother Milan, also a member of KP, are suspended of involvement in the murder of the KP officer Enver Zymberi. KP deputy director for Mitrovica region Besim Hoti confirmed that the two KP members have been suspended, but did not give additional details. EULEX officials confirmed the searches and interviews of the KP members in connection with the investigation into the murder of Zymberi killed in 2011 during a KP operation in northern Kosovo.
EU calls for government’s noninterference in RTK (Koha Ditore)
European Union has expressed concern with the recent developments in the Kosovo public broadcaster, RTK, where a number of editors have protested over political interference. The EU officials called on the Kosovo Assembly to ensure professional and impartial functioning of RTK.