“How will Nenad Rikalo protect the interests of the Serb people in our southern province, when he proudly notes the fact that “for four years he was a member of a board of the SOROS foundation, together with Shpend Ahmeti, Ilir Deda and other prominent intellectuals from Pristina?”” Serbian Radical Party (SRS) said to the Serbian media.

The SRS also considers Rikalo’s appointment as “particularly scandalous” given that based on his own testimony “he is a reputable SOROS member and a friend of Albin Kurti,” media further reported.

Meanwhile, KoSSev portal rerun the news on Albin Kurti, joining calls for a police investigation against Rikalo. Kurti also called Haradinaj’s statement that based on security agencies’ information Nenad Rikalo was not involved in violent acts against Albanians in Dardania neighbourhood “absurd and hasty”.

Ilir Deda, also denied any relations between him and Rikalo, assessing alleged accusations over co-operation with Rikalo as “SHIK’s hypothesis” in order to “avoid citizens' allegations on mistreatment”. Deda also confirmed he was a member of the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS) Board, adding “there was no co-operation” between him and Rikalo.

Mayor of Pristina, Shpend Ahmeti, added “he had no businesses” with Rikalo, and he met with him “once in three months” at the board meetings of the KFOS.