UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 29, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Trump reiterates he prevented Kosovo-Serbia conflict (media)
U.S. Embassy calls on party leaders to reach agreement (media)
Haxhiu: All roads leading to early elections, we didn’t want this (media)
Rajkovic and Denic sentenced to 15 years in prison for war crimes (media)
Haxhiu: We have been continuously committed to addressing war crimes (RTK)
KLA War Veterans to protest against Specialist Chambers on August 7 (media)
Osmani on Gaza: Every child is precious and must be protected (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Dacic: I have never said we were tricked into signing Brussels Agreement (Tanjug, media)
Petkovic met Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug, media)
Serbian Ministry of Culture: Unlawful religious gathering at site of Monastery of the Holy Mother of Hvosno a case of historical revisionism (Kosovo Online, media)
Mijacic: Pope Leo XIV to react to non-Christian behavior of cleric in Kosovo (media, social media)
Serbian List reacts to verdict to Milenkovic, Vlajic and Pantic, terms it ‘act of political retribution against Serbian people’ (Kosovo Online)
Serbian Democracy: Verdict to three Serbs in contradiction with Brussels Agreement (Radio KIM, media)
Lawyer: Rajkovic and Denic sentenced to 15 years in prison each, verdict without evidence (media)
Djuric: Goal of Benin visit is to deepen our friendship, Serbia's presence in West Africa (media)

International Media:

Kosovo court convicts two Serbs in absentia of wartime rape (PI)
Prosecutor breaks silence on withdrawn warrant for Kosovo Serb powerbroker (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Trump reiterates he prevented Kosovo-Serbia conflict (media)

U.S. President Donald Trump met on Monday in Scotland with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the Turnberry golf resort, where they discussed topics such as international trade, the situation in Gaza, and the war in Ukraine. During a statement to reporters, Trump emphasized that there have been many international conflicts which he claims to have stopped. He once again mentioned that Serbia and Kosovo were on the verge of an armed clash, a conflict that, according to him, he prevented. He also asserted that if he had not been in office, six different wars would have broken out in other parts of the world, including between India and Pakistan, Congo and Rwanda, among others.

U.S. Embassy calls on party leaders to reach agreement (Klan)

The institutional blockade, which the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo refers to as “ongoing,” is, according to the U.S., delaying Kosovo's progress and aspirations and “putting the integrity of institutions at risk.”

Through a spokesperson, the U.S. Embassy has urged political leaders to reach an agreement on the formation of the Assembly. “This ongoing blockade is delaying progress on Kosovo’s future aspirations and putting at risk the integrity of the institutions the people of Kosovo fought so hard to build. We call on political leaders to take their responsibilities seriously and work together to reach an agreement on the constitution of the Assembly, which includes the election of a Speaker and Deputy Speakers. They should use the coming weeks to find a way forward that ensures stable leadership in accordance with the Constitution. Political leaders must not rely on the Constitutional Court to resolve a political deadlock that only they can fix. The people of Kosovo expect their leaders to fulfill their commitment to act in the country’s best interest,” the embassy stated in a response to Klan Kosova.

The embassy added that the United States looks forward to working with Kosovo’s next government to advance regional stability.

Haxhiu: All roads leading to early elections, we didn’t want this (media)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement, Albulena Haxhiu, said on Monday evening that the situation created in the Kosovo Assembly shows that all roads now lead to early parliamentary elections. According to Haxhiu, this is not what the Vetevendosje Movement wanted. “All roads lead to early elections. We did not want to go to early elections, but it seems that everyone has come together against us,” she said.

Rajkovic and Denic sentenced to 15 years in prison for war crimes (media)

Ivica Rajkovic and Dragan Denic, who were tried in absentia for war crimes against the civilian population during May 1999, including sexual assault, have been sentenced to 15 years in prison each by the Basic Court's Special Department in Pristina.

The accused, Ivica Rajkovic and Dragan Denic, were both police officers in Pristina. In addition to the charge of sexual assault, witness testimonies indicated that they also committed other war crimes, such as mistreatment, looting, and torture, although these were not included in this indictment. The incident of sexual assault took place on the outskirts of Pristina.

The victim was raped by six individuals in total, but only these two were identified by the victim. The trial was conducted in absentia, as the accused could not be arrested.

Haxhiu: We have been continuously committed to addressing war crimes (RTK)

Caretaker Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu stated that the conviction by the Basic Court in Pristina of Ivica Rajkovic and Dragan Denic for war crimes, including sexual violence and the expulsion of civilians during the war, represents an important step toward justice for victims and the punishment of the perpetrators. “Faced with Serbia’s refusal to extradite war criminals to Kosovo, while we were in opposition, we undertook legal changes to allow trials in absentia. As a government, among other efforts, we have eliminated all obstacles to fully implementing these legal amendments. These changes are now being applied. The criminals are being sheltered in Serbia, but they have names and surnames, and they will be declared war criminals, one by one, through judicial rulings,” Haxhiu wrote.

KLA War Veterans to protest against Specialist Chambers on August 7 (media)

The Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans’ Organization has announced that on August 7 at 5:00 PM, a nationwide protest will be held in Pristina in support of former fighters currently being held in pre-trial detention in The Hague. Hysni Gucati stated during a press conference that the protest will be organized in solidarity with their comrades. “We will protest against the Specialist Chambers, which are violating all rights. There are two cases where the court is using people to influence the process by surveilling our comrades,” Gucati said.

Meanwhile, Xhavit Jashari from the Association of Martyrs’ Families said that the indictment against KLA fighters is unjust and built by a court that, in his view, should not even exist.

He emphasized that the protest is necessary to demand justice and to defend the just war of the KLA.

Osmani on Gaza: Every child is precious and must be protected (RTK)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has expressed solidarity with the ongoing victims in Gaza, particularly children. She voiced her support for a ceasefire in the region. “Children never start wars! But they are the ones who suffer the most and bear the greatest consequences of every conflict. The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the suffering of innocent civilians, especially children, is heartbreaking and must come to an end. Every child, every family—regardless of nationality or religion, is precious and must be protected,” she wrote.

Osmani stated that Kosovo supports the ceasefire initiative led by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, including efforts for the immediate release of all hostages. “Kosovo continues to support international efforts aimed at achieving a just, sustainable, and peaceful future, where both Israelis and Palestinians can live with dignity, security, and mutual respect, with a shared commitment to the protection of human life,” Osmani wrote.

Serbian Language Media

Dacic: I have never said we were tricked into signing Brussels Agreement (Tanjug, media)

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic noted on Monday he had never said, and would never say, that Serbia, President Aleksandar Vucic or he himself had been tricked into signing the 2013 Brussels Agreement, adding that by saying Serbia had been tricked, he was referring to implementation of the agreement and Pristina's failure to deliver on its commitments, with tacit support from the EU and the US, Tanjug news agency reported.

"As someone who was directly and responsibly involved in the process of reaching the Brussels Agreement in 2013, I want to be very clear and precise. I have never said, nor would I say, that we - Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic or I, were tricked into signing the Brussels Agreement. Such wording would imply that we did not know what we were signing, that we did not understand the significance of the document, or that we are incapable of assessing political reality. That is not only untrue but deeply insulting to every statesperson who had the responsibility of making decisions on behalf of Serbia at the time", Dacic said in a statement.

He noted that the Brussels Agreement had been a result of months-long tedious and complex talks overseen and coordinated by the top EU institutions, along with an active and supportive role of the US. He said he was convinced that both Belgrade and international partners had had a sincere desire to move towards normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations, but with strict respect for all commitments on both sides.

"So today, when I say that we were tricked, I do not mean that we did not know what we were signing. I mean that we were tricked in the implementation of the agreement. We were tricked because what was presented at the time as a serious international agreement, with equal commitments for both sides and control mechanisms, has not been carried out in practice. We were tricked not because we did not understand the text of the agreement, but because we were unable to even assume the degree of passivity, selectivity and political opportunism that would mark its implementation", Dacic said.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/qIg9J

Mijacic: Pope Leo XIV to react to non-Christian behavior of cleric in Kosovo (media, social media)

After a Roman-Catholic religious ceremony was held in a locality of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) Monastery of the Holy Mother of Hvosno, near Istok, without the knowledge of SOC, Coordinator of the National Convention for the EU Chapter 35 Working Group Dragisa Mijacic called upon Pope Leo XIV to react to, as he said, non-Christian behavior of a cleric in Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“Ongoing pressure from 🇽🇰 authorities on @EparhijaKIM and Kosovo Serbs spills into all areas of society. It’s no surprise a Catholic priest held mass on the ruins of the Bogorodica Hvostanska church. @Pontifex must respond to such un-Christian behavior by the cleric of Kosovo”, Mijacic wrote in a post on X social platform.

Serbian List reacts to verdict to Milenkovic, Vlajic and Pantic, terms it ‘act of political retribution against Serbian people’ (Kosovo Online)

“Today, the political court of Albin Kurti’s regime handed down a disgraceful, unfounded, and politically motivated verdict against Milun Milenkovic, Aleksandar Vlajic, and Dejan Pantic, which is a blatant act of judicial terror by Albin Kurti and his regime aimed at persecuting and intimidating the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija”, Serbian List said in a statement on Monday.

"This verdict is nothing more than further proof there is neither law nor justice in Kosovo and Metohija – only an organized machinery of political violence serving the purpose of ethnic cleansing and systematic expulsion of Serbs from their centuries-old places. Without a single piece of material evidence, without witnesses, without any elements to prove guilt, these three Serbs were convicted solely because they are Serbs – because they did not bow their heads to the terror of Pristina and because they remained on their land", the statement said.

Serbian List also added one must not forget the media smear campaign launched by “Kurti’s regime from the very first day of the arrests”.

"Without any investigation or facts, Kurti’s ministers and MPs accused them of being criminals and terrorists, directly influencing the course of the proceedings and destroying what little illusion of justice still exists in Pristina. The same people who were caught on camera committing violence against members of international forces, whose cases have been endlessly delayed, and the same ones who incite hatred and violence against Serbs, are today passing judgment on men whose only 'crime' was continuing to live in Serbian communities", Serbian List emphasized.

Serbian Democracy: Verdict to three Serbs in contradiction with Brussels Agreement (Radio KIM, media)

Serbian Democracy has strongly reacted to the verdict sentencing Milun Milenkovic and Aleksandar Vlajic to five years in prison each, and Dejan Pantic to two years, under accusations for the attack on Municipal Election Commission Office in Mitrovica North in December 2022, arguing that the verdict was made in violation of the Brussels Agreement, adding it was an ethnically motivated trial, Radio KIM reported.

In a statement delivered to the media, Serbian Democracy reminded international actors - EULEX, UNMIK and embassies - of Article 10 of the Brussels Agreement from 2013, which guarantees that Serbs in Kosovo will be tried by an Appellate Panel composed mainly of Serbian judges, within the Kosovo system. Serbian Democracy added Pristina has never implemented this provision, which calls into question the fairness of every verdict against Serbs in Kosovo, including the decision on the conviction of Milun Milenkovic and others yesterday.

"We are witnessing that in Kosovo courts verdicts are passed under the pressure of a radicalized part of society, which particularly applies to cases in which Serbs are defendants. Albanian judges, under this influence, often pass politically and ethnically motivated verdicts", Serbian Democracy warned.

As one example of pressure, the party said the names of Albanian judges who dealt with the case of Dejan Pantic were displayed on public buildings in Pristina, which represented a direct threat to their safety and independence in work. "The European Union has previously, through the statements of its officials such as Peter Stano, called on Pristina to comply with the obligations from the Brussels Agreement, but nothing has changed to date", the announcement said.

"We call on the international community, the EU, UNMIK, EULEX and all embassies to exert pressure on Pristina to form an Appeals Panel composed mainly of Serbian judges, as agreed in Brussels. Otherwise, all verdicts passed against Serbs in majority-Serb municipalities have no basis in law", the party said.

Lawyer: Rajkovic and Denic sentenced to 15 years in prison each, verdict without evidence (media)

The Basic Court in Pristina sentenced yesterday Ivica Rajkovic and Dragan Denic in absentia to 15 years in prison each under war crimes accusations, their defense lawyer Milka Milosavljevic told Kosovo Online. She termed the verdict as unjust and announced an appeal to it. She also said Rajkovic and Denic were convicted in absentia for “raping an Albanian woman during the war events in Kosovo, and for taking away the money from Albanians and mistreating them”.

“The verdict was not made based on evidence but based on hatred and revanchism against Serbs and Serbia. The judge while elaborating on the decision during that minimal elaboration referred only to the statement of the victim, and not to the evidence. There are no evidence, no DNA traces, no forensics, not even a medical report that this victim went to the doctor because of rape”, Milosavljevic said.

As she added, the court should have dismissed the indictment as it was not substantiated by evidence. “All these witnesses confirmed nothing, they were saying that they did not see, that they heard something but that they do not know what person it was about…..even the victim made superficial statement, that she was treated with alternative medicine in Macedonia, and that she did not go to the doctor”, the lawyer said.

Djuric: Goal of Benin visit is to deepen our friendship, Serbia's presence in West Africa (media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said in Cotonou on Monday the goal of his visit to Benin was to deepen the partnership and friendship with the African nation, as well as Serbia's presence in West Africa. "Serbia views its friendship with African nations as a key development opportunity. In the years to come, this continent will be continuously registering the highest economic and demographic development", Djuric said.

Serbia is a quality and equal partner to African countries and, as early as in the era of former Yugoslav president Tito, it began to conduct a policy of support for and cooperation with African states, Djuric said.

In Benin, Serbia also seeks support for its key national issues, such as Kosovo issue, he added. "We will definitely discuss that, too - everything that is going on there - and seek support", Djuric said.

International Media

Kosovo court convicts two Serbs in absentia of wartime rape (PI)

The third-ever war crimes verdict issued in absentia in Kosovo sentences two former members of the Serbian police force to 15 years in prison for the rape of a Kosovo Albanian woman in May 1999.

The Prishtina Basic Court on Monday found Dragan Denic and Ivica Rajkovic guilty in absentia of raping an ethnic Albanian woman during the Kosovo war and sentenced them to 15 years in prison each.

“As members of the police forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia during the war in Kosovo, in violation of the rules of international humanitarian law …[and] in complicity with other members of the police forces, [they] committed the sexual abuse of an Albanian woman, around May 23-25,1999,” judge Rrahman Beqiri said.

The verdict can be appealed.

According to the indictment, as well as raping the woman, Denic and Rajkovic, together with other members of Serbian police forces, participated in expelling Kosovo Albanian civilians, looting their property and committing physical and psychological violence against them, as well as other inhumane acts.

This is the third war crimes verdict issued in absentia in Kosovo.