The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has reacted to the Appeals Court’s ruling against Skenderaj/Srbica Mayor, Sami Lushtaku, on war crimes charges saying it is unfounded. “The Democratic Party of Kosovo considers that the current sentence of Mr. Lushtaku on a charge that was already dropped by the court earlier is unfounded and we believe that Mr. Lushtaku’s innocence will be reconfirmed,” the statement issued by the party reads.

Vetevendosje Movement collected signatures from MPs for a special session of the Assembly to discuss the death of its activist, Astrit Dehari, at the Prizren detention facility. However, the request failed as, according to Vetevendosje, one of the MPs was pressured into removing his signature. In sign of protest, Vetevendosje and the other opposition parties, walked out of the meeting of the Assembly Presidency which was supposed to decide the timing of the next session.

The draft-resolution prepared by heads of the parliamentary groups of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), has passed by 61 votes for with none against and 11 abstentions.

The resolution says that the Assembly of Kosovo pledges to endorse the Law on protection of the values of the Kosovo Liberation Army and its liberating war, within six months.

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, is saying that Kosovo’s budget for 2017 will be €2 billion; however, the issue of the budget could be the reason behind the eventual breakup of the ruling coalition. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), led by Kadri Veseli, is not satisfied with the budget lines drafted by the Ministry of Finance led by Avdullah Hoti, a member of the LDK chairmanship.

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP, Arben Gashi, told Klan Kosova today that if the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) decides to go to early parliamentary elections, the LDK will respect the decision of their ruling coalition partner. “I don’t think Kadri Veseli [PDK leader] has indicated early elections yet. There is no final decision. We need to wait and then the LDK will have two options, either find another partner in government or go to early elections. We will respect the decision of the Democratic Party,” Gashi said.

An international prosecutor of the Special Prosecution of Kosovo (SPRK) today filed two indictments at the Pristina Basic Court. One of the indictments is against 17 defendants led by the former Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Azem Syla, Klan Kosova reports. This case concerns an organized criminal group involved in a land scam that cost Kosovo budget 30 million Euros. The other indictment is against 22 defendants accused of organized crime, money laundering, taking bribes, misuse of official position and tax evasion.

Kosovo Assembly MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) said that Kosovo is not experiencing its best days when liberalization of visas is concerned. Haliti made these comments during the meeting of the parliamentary committee for Stabilization Association where they spoke about the liberalization of visas and preparations for the second Kosovo-EU meeting which will be held on 23 and 24 November in Brussels.

Flora Brovina, Kosovo Assembly MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo has requested re-actualization of the collection of signatures on drafting the resolution for Serbia’s genocide in Kosovo. Brovina added that endorsement of this resolution is very important for Kosovo.

Several civil society organisations announced a protest for Monday, 8 August, at 19:00 against organized crime and corruption. The protest, second in a row, is organized following the recent publications of telephone conversations between the senior officials of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, linking them to illegal activities.

Kosovo political leaders from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Vetëvendosje, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) had a closed-door meeting today with ambassadors of the Quint countries. Political parties were represented by Xhavit Haliti (PDK), Isa Mustafa and Arban Abrashi (LDK), Jakup Krasniqi and Fatmir Limaj  (NISMA), Ramush Haradinaj (AAK), Visar Ymeri and Glauk Konjufca (Vetëvendosje) while the Quint countries were represented by ambassadors of US, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Italy.