Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Approximately 20kg of explosives were used in November 29 attack (media)

• Government about attack: Communicating with our international partners (RTV21)

• Lajcak: I strongly condemned terrorist attack in Kosovo (media)

• Pyrotechnics and bottles thrown at police officers in Mitrovica North (media)

• Osmani meets Schoof, “committed to deepening our cooperation” (media)

• Hovenier: US committed to sovereign and multiethnic Kosovo (media)

• Hajredin Kuci pleads not guilty to charges at Specialist Chambers (RFE)

• CDHRF criticizes proceedings at Specialist Chambers, “a racist court” (media)

• Low percentage of women in KSF; Osmani: We can and must do more (media)

• COMKFOR Barduani meets Local Government Minister Krasniqi (media)

• FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa to visit Kosovo today (media)

• Training held on reporting regarding local government and municipalities (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Osmani and Vucevic on conversations with Trump and Musk; Serbian PM: Trump greeted Vucic (KoSSev) 

• ‘Professionalism’, ‘integrity’ and ‘trust’: What did Kurti not say about Kosovo police and the north? (Alternativna.com)

• SL: "Kurti forgot to explain in Sarajevo that the number of Serbs in Kosovo is decreasing because of his terror" (Kosovo Online)

• Djuric: Decision by Becirovic, Komsic to receive Kurti erodes Serbia-BiH relations (Tanjug)

• Zoran Kostic and Dragan Milovic pleaded not guilty to alleged war crimes in Vucitrn (RTS, Kosovo Online)

• Mijacic: Development Fund for North marginalized by opening only Merdare for Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)

• Student blockades spread to over 30 university faculties across Serbia (N1, KoSSev)

International: 

• Serbia and Kosovo’s Trump optimism (politico.com)

• Kosovo’s ex-president appears in court on charges of obstructing justice (BIRN)

                  Albanian Language Media  

Kurti: Approximately 20kg of explosives were used in November 29 attack (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X on Sunday that “approximately 20kg of explosives were used in last Friday's kinetic terrorist attack on our critical infrastructure. This past week could have been very different had it not been for the swift, coordinated, and professional institutional response to mitigate the impact of the damage. As an attack on the civilian population, it could have reduced the country's energy generation by 60% and impacted water access for up to 40% of the population. The resemblance with Russia's targeting and destruction of critical civil infrastructure in Ukraine is alarming”.

Kurti also said the video in the post “recounts the events and institutional response within the first 48 hours following the attack, which took place on November 29. While significant progress has been made, institutional efforts to fully repair the damage and restore normalcy are still ongoing”.

See more at: https://t.ly/q9vyu

Government about attack: Communicating with our international partners (RTV21)

The Kosovo government said today that there are ongoing investigations about the terrorist attack against the Iber Lepenci water canal. Spokesperson for the government, Perparim Kryeziu, told the TV station that the government is in continuous communication with international partners. “Our institutions are carrying out investigations about the terrorist attack against the critical infrastructure of Iber Lepenci. As you know several arrests have been made and a considerable amount of weapons, ammunition, military uniforms, along with 74 different military insignia, out of which 20 belonging to special Russian units, were confiscated. We are in continuous communication with our international partners. We welcome the assistance they have offered us for a full investigation about the November 29 attack. Our police has partnerships with western democratic countries and they can assist us in the investigations too, but these are matters of technical expertise,” the spokesperson said.

Lajcak: I strongly condemned terrorist attack in Kosovo (media)

EU Special Envoy for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, said in a Facebook post today that he strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack on the Iber Lepenci water canal in the north of Kosovo “There is rarely a dull moment in diplomacy. The new leadership of the EU finally took up their offices, Kosovo experienced a reprehensible terrorist attack targeting critical infrastructure - an act I strongly condemned -  and the diplomatic world is gearing up for the usual end of the year sprint. It was important to see that in their first week in office, President of the Council Costa, HR/VP Kallas and Enlargement Commissioner Kos met with the leaders of the Western Balkans sending a clear signal that EU enlargement is their priority. Over the past two weeks, I addressed a conference on the security situation in the Western Balkans organized by the Ministry of Defence in Greece, participated in this year’s edition of the MEDays Forum in Morocco and briefed Member States on the state of play in the Dialogue. The coming weeks will be equally busy, filled with a packed schedule of meetings and official missions,” Lajcak wrote.

Pyrotechnics and bottles thrown at police officers in Mitrovica North (media)

Kosovo Police said in their 24-hour report that unknown persons threw pyrotechnics and glass bottles at three police officers in Mitrovica North on the night between Sunday and Monday. No injuries were reported and police units are investigating the incident.

Osmani meets Schoof, “committed to deepening our cooperation” (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met with the Prime Minister of Netherlands, Dick Schoof. “We had a chance to discuss the upcoming EU-WB Summit and our European integration path. Kosovo values its strong relationship with the Netherlands, and we are committed to deepening our cooperation,” Osmani wrote in a post on X.

Hovenier: US committed to sovereign and multiethnic Kosovo (media)

U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier said he held a farewell meeting with Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi today. “I reiterated our commitment to a sovereign, democratic, and multiethnic Kosovo and reinforced our support of Kosovo’s progress towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration,” Hovenier said in a post on X.

Hajredin Kuci pleads not guilty to charges at Specialist Chambers (RFE)

Kosovo’s former deputy prime minister and minister of justice, Hajredin Kuci, in his first appearance at the Specialist Chambers today pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing justice. “I am completely innocent. Today is one of the darkest moments for me as a person of justice, whose profession and whole life has been about justice, and I was identified with justice,” he said. 

“I have committed no offence. I am innocent and I have full faith that I will be relieved from the charges. In the indictment I am with president Hashim Thaci. Allow me to say that Hashim is my friend, we have known each other and worked together for many years. We have worked and led based on the principle of justice, respect for justice and we believed in justice,” he argued.

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci did not comment on the new indictment against him for obstructing justice. “I know that Kosovo is on the eve of general elections, but I am not part of the election race, and I am not a threat to anyone. I believe and respect the Constitution and laws of Kosovo, and I call on everyone to respect the Constitution of Kosovo because the Specialist Chambers are a product of the Constitution of Kosovo,” he said.

CDHRF criticizes proceedings at Specialist Chambers, “a racist court” (media)

The Pristina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) issued a statement today criticizing the recent developments at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Hague and referring to the institution as “racist, and above the Constitution and the state”.

The Council condemned the arrest of former KLA member Fadil Fazliu, former AKI chief Bashkim Smakaj, and former Malisheva mayor Isni Kilaj and the raid in the house of Hajredin Kuci, saying that they were politically motivated. 

According to the Council, the Specialist Chambers are violating the laws and the Constitution of Kosovo, “by acting in a selective and discriminatory fashion against Albanians”. “This court works on ‘justice’ according to the ‘ethnic criteria’” the Council said. It argued that while over 90 percent of victims from the war are Albanians, they were not treated as such, while the majority of crimes committed by Serbian forces were left unpunished. It said that this is an open form of discrimination, and it denies justice for Albanians.

Low percentage of women in KSF; Osmani: We can and must do more (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said today that there are only 10 percent of women in the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and that this percentage is low. “We should never settle for this. The level of 10 percent is very low, and we can and must do more than this, especially as a country that aims for membership in NATO,” Osmani said in her address on the topic “Advancing the representation and role of women in the army: A step towards greater gender equality, peace and security”. 

Osmani said that in her meetings at NATO headquarters “the first topic of discussion was Kosovo’s engagement for the women, peace and security agenda”. 

COMKFOR Barduani meets Local Government Minister Krasniqi (media)

Commander of NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR, Major General Enrico Barduani, met in Pristina today with Kosovo’s Minister for Local Government, Elbert Krasniqi. A Facebook post by KFOR notes that their discussions covered a range of topics, including the pursuit of lasting security in Kosovo, the regional stability situation, and KFOR’s support for the EU-facilitated dialogue. “Major General Barduani emphasized KFOR's unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, religion, or political affiliation. This visit was part of the KFOR Commander’s regular engagements with key counterparts in Kosovo,” the post notes.

FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa to visit Kosovo today (media)

FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa will visit Kosovo today and meet the leadership of the Basketball Federation of Kosovo. During his stay in Pristina, Garbajosa will attend a gala dinner organized by the Olympic Committee of Kosovo on the 10th anniversary of Kosovo joining the International Olympic Committee. This will be Garbajosa’s first visit to Kosovo. 

Training held on reporting regarding local government and municipalities (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said in a statement today that last weekend, journalists from various media, mostly local, participated in a training focused on reporting on local government and municipalities, emphasizing the importance of transparency and professionalism in covering local issues.

The training, led by Bekim Salihu, policy analyst at the GAP Institute, and Besnik Velija, journalist and editor at Gazeta Express, included a combination of theory and practice. Through discussions and concrete examples, participants examined the challenges of reporting at the local level, focusing on budgeting, access to public documents and the use of open data sources.

Participants shared their professional experiences and learned techniques for identifying and verifying information sources, emphasizing legal rights for access to public information and the most effective approaches to cover the institutional system.

This training was organized by the Association of Journalists of Kosovo in cooperation with the DEMOS project – an initiative for decentralization and support of municipalities, which is co-financed by the European Union in Kosovo, Switzerland, Sweden and implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media  

Osmani and Vucevic on conversations with Trump and Musk; Serbian PM: Trump greeted Vucic (KoSSev) 

Notre Dame Cathedral reopened its doors after five years of restoration work following a fire that nearly destroyed it. KoSSev reported last night that the opening ceremony brought together numerous leaders, including Serbian Prime Minister of Serbia and Kosovo President.

About 50 heads of government and state, including the (re)elected US President Donald Trump, the outgoing First Lady of the United States of America Jill Biden, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the royal families, Elon Musk — a total of 1,500 guests — attended the ceremony in the church. Then the French president, Emmanuel Macron, hosted a gala dinner at the Elysée Palace.

Meanwhile, Vucevic and Osmani boasted about their meetings in Paris.

Vucevic said that he had the opportunity to speak with the newly elected President of the USA, Donald Trump, and even claims that Trump greeted Aleksandar Vucic.

He also boasted of conversations with Elon Musk, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Belgian King Philippe, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and "many others." He also said that it was important for Serbia to be present at such events and for "its voice to be heard". Vucevic, who was attending the ceremonies as an envoy of the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, also said that Serbia has allocated significant funds for the restoration of the cathedral, and that it has once again confirmed its centuries-old friendship with the French people.

Osmani poses with Macron and Trump: "Euro-Atlantic alliance"

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani was also in France. She also boasted about participating in the reopening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral, as well as the evening at the Elysée Palace. The day before the visit, she announced that she would be in Paris "next to Trump" and other leaders, and today she published more photos with the newly elected American president. "The Euro-Atlantic Alliance", is Osmani's message with a photo of her posing with Trump and Macron.

She says that it was an honor for her to meet the American and once again "congratulated him on his victory on behalf of the people of Kosovo":

"I also confirmed our commitment to strengthening our alliance. We rely on strong US leadership as we work together to promote peace, security, and prosperity in our region and beyond", Osmani said.

Meanwhile, Osmani reported that she had a "great" conversation with Elon Musk about the efficiency and effectiveness of the government, but also the fight against disinformation, as well as the importance of always respecting the will of the people. Osmani also boasted that she spoke with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands about the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit, but also, she said, the Kosovo path to the EU.

‘Professionalism’, ‘integrity’ and ‘trust’: What did Kurti not say about Kosovo police and the north? (Alternativna.com)

Alternativna.com under its section “Statement of the Week – Unmasking” writes about the statements Kosovo Prime Minister made about Kosovo police while visiting Sarajevo, claiming it is “the most legitimate” as far as “professionalism and integrity” are concerned.

“Now also Serbs in the northern part of Kosovo, when they have some problem, report it to our police. Things have drastically changed”, Kurti assessed.

However, what did Kurti forget to say?, the Alternativna.com further writes.

There is only one police structure in Kosovo – Kosovo police. Kurti’s claims that Serbs are reporting cases to the Kosovo police comes as no surprise, given that there is no other option available. Although after the withdrawal of Serbs from Kosovo institutions in the north, the north remained without Serbian community members in the Kosovo police, people have no other alternative when it comes to reporting the cases.

What Kurti also failed to mention is that the trust of people in Kosovo police is at a very low level. This is supported by research, concrete examples and cases.

Construction of police bases in the north of Kosovo, respectively expropriation, is assessed by the Kosovo court as illegal.

A research “Trend Analysis” by Mitrovica North-based Aktiv civil society organization, points out that when it comes to the inhabitants in the north, Kosovo Government and Kosovo police have the lowest percentage of trust, 1.35 percent. The research is available at: https://shorturl.at/8Fok3

Asked how do you perceive increased presence of Kosovo police, in particular special police units and reconstruction of police bases in the north – New Social Initiative research carried out by UBO Consulting, points out that only 1 percent of Serbian respondents expressed support, and a significant majority of respondents 76 percent opposed it. Asked to elaborate on their negative perceptions when it comes to police presence, people voiced a number of concerns. Some mentioned lack of trust in Kosovo police, adding  the cases in which they consider that police did not act in line with their expectations. NSI research is available at: https://shorturl.at/dR2xc

According to RFE articles, over the last four years in four northern municipalities180 complaints and anonymous reports were filed to Kosovo Police Inspectorate, and from July this year 23. What one should have in mind, the portal added, is that many cases remain unreported. Alternativna.com also said several people contacted them to present testimonies of police violations, but gave up later from pursuing further complaints out of fear that police officers would not be prosecuted, and remain on duty.

What Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti also missed to say is that exactly over the last months, cases of police brutality were not only recorded but also officially reported.

Mitrovica North resident and University staff member, Milos Subotic was slapped several times in a police station in Mitrovica North, while handcuffed.

In the latest action in the north of Kosovo, following an explosion at Ibar-Lepenac water canal, Kosovo special police officers raided at least two locations wrongly. Both families testified about brutality, while Gzim Jahirovic form Mitrovica North who was detained, publicly testified and claimed that he was beaten up, while special police officers also threated his wife, including with sexual harassment. He also claimed police officers told him that because he hangs around with the Serbs, he “knows everything”.

What Kurti also did not mention is that following damages to the section of Ibar-Lepenac water canal, Kosovo police armed with long-barrelled weapons, wearing bullet-proof vests and helmets have been deployed across the entire north, including in urban areas, kilometres away from the location of explosion.

Although it was earlier announced that Kosovo Security Council approved additional measures to reinforce security of the “objects and critical services” such as “bridges, power stations, antennas, lake, canals and similar”, police was also deployed near the schools, which Serbian Democracy reported about with number of videos, documenting the presence of police, published on their official social media channels. Alternavna.com portal also said it reported about the cases in Mitrovica North and Leposavic.

Hovenier earlier pointed out to ‘instrumentalization of police’

The conduct of Kosovo police was criticized by US Ambassador in Pristina, Jeff Hovenier on August 30, the portal further writes, during the closure of Serbian institutions in the north of Kosovo. Back then he pointed out that the action was not coordinated with Kosovo partners, adding it has negative repercussions on the Serbian community living in the four northern municipalities.

While he said US Government is proud of supporting establishment and professionalisation of Kosovo police, “continuation of instrumentalization of Kosovo police by the Government, in order to carry out uncoordinated actions is not in line with Kosovo promises that it would continue consultations and coordination with international community”, the portal quoted Ambassador Hoveriner as saying.

SL: "Kurti forgot to explain in Sarajevo that the number of Serbs in Kosovo is decreasing because of his terror" (Kosovo Online)

The Serbian List announced that ''Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti used his visit to Sarajevo to brag about how he succeeded in his intention to ethnically cleanse Kosovo'', emphasizing that he forgot to mention that he succeeded in doing so by implementing ''terror and institutional violence'' against Serbs and preventing the return of displaced persons to their centuries-old homes by ''stealing'' Serbian property, intimidation of people and baseless arrests, reported Kosovo Online. 

"Kurti used his visit to Sarajevo to brag about how he succeeded in his intention to ethnically cleanse Kosovo and Metohija of Serbs, so he mentioned that there are fewer and fewer Serbs. Of course, he forgot to say that there are fewer Serbs for two reasons. The first is the terror he is carrying out on the innocent Serbian people by using institutional violence to carry out repression, and the second is preventing the return of the displaced to their centuries-old homes by seizing Serbian property, intimidating people and groundless arrests of all Serbs who do not want to sell their paternal property," announced the Serbian List. 

They also referred to Kurti's statement that there are more Albanians in Serbia than Serbs in Kosovo, pointing out that this is proof of the responsible policy of the Serbian leadership.

"In the same statement, Kurti praised the position of the Albanians in Serbia, clearly saying that their number is greater than the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, which of course confirms that the policy led by President Aleksandar Vucic suits all citizens of Serbia, which is respect the rights of Serbs and all other peoples, the economic strengthening and development of Serbia, and the construction of factories, roads, railways, and highways," emphasized the Serbian List.

They say that the Serbs are determined to stay in Kosovo and that they will continue to fight against the aspirations of Albin Kurti.

"Serbian List will continue, with the support of our state of Serbia and President Aleksandar Vucic, to fight strongly with all democratic means so that Kurti never realizes his plan and expels our people, because all of us in this region are determined to remain on our own," it is stated in the SL announcement.

Djuric: Decision by Becirovic, Komsic to receive Kurti erodes Serbia-BiH relations (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said on Friday a decision by Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency members Denis Becirovic and Zeljko Komsic to “receive Albin Kurti as a representative of the false so-called state of "Kosovo" was deeply contrary to the principles of good neighbourliness and mutual respect between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and eroded the fundamentals of the relations between the two countries”, Tanjug news agency reported.

He noted that the decision was contrary to the internal composition of BiH and the character and the nature of good neighbourly relations between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Unlike Serbia, which has never called into question the territorial integrity of BiH in words or in actions, Sarajevo has demonstrated that it does not recognise the territorial integrity of its closest neighbour", a statement released by the Serbian MFA quoted Djuric as saying.

"Since the gesture can produce irreparable consequences for Serbia-BiH bilateral relations, we especially note that, after today's meeting, Komsic and Becirovic should not ask Serbia any questions in the future about support for BiH and its territorial integrity", Djuric noted.

Zoran Kostic and Dragan Milovic pleaded not guilty to alleged war crimes in Vucitrn (RTS, Kosovo Online)

The trial of Dragan Milovic from Zvecan and Zoran Kostic from Priluzje accused of allegedly committing war crimes in Vucitrn municipality, has continued today in Pristina by presentation of introductory remarks, RTS reported.

Following the read-out of the shortened indictment, Milovic and Kostic once again said they are not guilty for the acts they are accused of.

Defence lawyer Predrag Miljkovic said in his introductory remarks that prosecution from the moment of arrest warrant to raising indictment, has constantly referred to the group of eight witnesses based on whose statements a reasonable doubt was formed, and now they are only mentioning two out of eight witnesses.

“In our introductory remarks we have rightly asked the prosecution and the court where did the eight witnesses from investigation disappeared and prosecution for almost a year wrote about them and who in their statements clearly described the actions of Zoran Kostic”, Miljkovic said.

“And all of a sudden, they no longer exist. Those witnesses are not in the indictment and they were, as we could see, serving to the prosecution as a grounds for detention measure”, he added.

Defence lawyer of Dragan Milovic, Mahmut Halimi said that in addition to two witnesses who voluntarily applied to testify in defence of Milovic, there are at least four witnesses interviewed by prosecution and who testified in the favour of his client.

He also said his client during the conflict in Kosovo rescued a certain number of people.

Kosovo Online portal reported that one of the affected parties said in his statement that he did not mention defendants, nor he ever saw them, adding that in his statements he referred to another person, a certain D.M.

Commenting on this statement of the affected party who said that he made a statement in the police about another person, and not two defendants, Milkovic said he is looking forward to hearing the entire statement, same as the statements of other witnesses.

Mijacic: Development Fund for North marginalized by opening only Merdare for Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)

Dragisa Mijacic, Coordinator of National Convention for the EU Chapter 35 Working Group told Kosovo Online portal that Development Fund for the North, designed as a tool for infrastructural and economic development in northern Kosovo municipalities, has withered in recent years due to various actions. The most recent of these was the Kosovo Government ban on importing Serbian goods, followed by a partial allowance of imports exclusively through the Merdare crossing.

Mijacic explains that the Development Fund for the North is financed through customs revenues on goods destined for northern Kosovo, collected at the Mitrovica Customs Terminal and that these goods enter Kosovo through Jarinje and Brnjak crossings.

“The Development Fund for the North is one of the best instruments created within the Brussels dialogue process. However, it has not received funds for years. First, due to the introduction of a 100% tax on Serbian goods entering Kosovo, and in recent years, due to the ban on Serbian imports and their partial allowance only through Merdare. As a result, all Serbian goods consumed by residents of northern Kosovo are cleared at the Pristina terminal or Merdare, not at the Mitrovica terminal, leading to a lack of inflow into the fund”, Mijacic pointed out.

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

Student blockades spread to over 30 university faculties across Serbia (N1, KoSSev)

More than thirty state faculties across four Serbian universities are now under student blockade as protests continue to grow.

Some of the students’ key demands include the release of complete documentation regarding the Novi Sad train station reconstruction project and justice for students of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU) who were attacked during a protest on November 22.

The protests were sparked by the November 1 tragedy at the recently renovated Novi Sad train station, where a concrete canopy collapsed at 11:52 am, killing 15 people and leaving two seriously injured. The blockades began in late November after FDU students were attacked while holding a silent vigil outside their faculty building to honor the victims. The movement has gained widespread support from professors, activists, political parties, and local citizens who have been providing food and water to the protesting students.

Students from the University of Nis Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics also joined the protests, describing their participation as a “lesson in integrity.”

There are more important exams than those in classrooms – exams of morality, declared students from Belgrade’s Faculty of Philosophy, vowing to continue their blockade.

On Monday, students across the country once again observed fifteen minutes of silence starting at 11:52 am, commemorating the fifteen lives lost in the Novi Sad disaster.

International

Serbia and Kosovo’s Trump optimism (politico.com)

Serbia and Kosovo don’t agree on much these days, but they see eye to eye on at least one thing: they see DONALD TRUMP’s return to the White House as an opportunity to reduce tensions in the Balkans.

In an interview with NatSec Daily, Serbian Foreign Minister MARKO ĐURIĆ argued the first Trump administration injected “fresh ideas” into the Kosovo-Serbia relationship and added that the second administration represents a new opportunity to revitalize the process of mending fences between Belgrade and Pristina.

Đurić said helping resolve long-standing disputes in the Balkans would be “low-hanging fruit” for the United States.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/3nuyeub7

Kosovo’s ex-president appears in court on charges of obstructing justice (BIRN)

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and co-accused Fadil Fazliu and Bashkim Smakaj appeared in court at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague on Sunday on charges of obstructing justice and interfering with witnesses in Thaci’s ongoing trial for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Pre-trial judge Marjorie Masselot remanded all three in custody for two months, saying there is a risk they could abscond, obstruct proceedings or repeat the offences. However, Thaci is already in detention during his trial.

Thaci told the court that the new indictment was unexpected and he cannot enter a plea immediately because he has not been able to thoroughly discuss the new charges yet.

His defence argued that he will not flee justice, noting that he stepped down as president in 2020 to face the charges against him.

“Even today I believe in and respect the constitution and Kosovo’s laws,” Thaci said.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/LyYl1