• 110 persons returned from Syria to Kosovo (RTK)
• U.S. commends on Kosovo on return of 110 citizens from Syria (media)
• Jahjaga to testify at U.S. Congress on war crimes in Kosovo (media)
• Former Klokot Mayor stopped by Serbian security (media)

110 persons returned from Syria to Kosovo (RTK)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Abelard Tahiri, told a press conference in Pristina today that 110 persons, including women and children, have been returned from Syria to Kosovo on Friday evening. “There was an operation early in the morning, with the aid of the United States, Kosovo has returned 110 citizens that were in Syria,” Tahiri said. “Kosovo has been very successful in preventing people from going to war zones. We are still working on returning those who are still in conflict zones”. Tahiri also said “institutions are treating and providing aid to the returnees. All those that have committed offences in the conflict zones will face justice and tried in accordance with our laws”. He added that the operation was initiated in October last year “in cooperation with several institutions”. “Our goal is to make sure that our citizens do not participate in foreign conflicts. Our message is clear: Kosovo will continue its efforts to prevent terrorism … The women that were there deserve rehabilitation and the children belong in schools. The children have experienced trauma and we will take care of them,” Tahiri added. Kosovo Police Director, Rashit Qalaj, told reporters: “110 Kosovo nationals have returned, four of them are fighters, 32 women and 74 children. All those that have committed offences will face justice and others will be rehabilitated. Police have arrested the four fighters” Qalaj also said that there are still Kosovars fighting in the conflict zones. “According to our information, there are another 30 fighters there,” he said.

U.S. commends on Kosovo on return of 110 citizens from Syria (media)

Most media cover a press release issued by the United States Embassy in Pristina which notes that “the United States commends Kosovo on the return of 110 of their citizens from Syria: four of them alleged ISIS fighters and the rest women and children.  With this repatriation, Kosovo has set an important example for all members of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and the international community to follow.  We applaud their compassion in accepting the return of this large number of civilians. The United States remains grateful to the Syrian Democratic Forces for their support in the repatriation and for continuing to humanely detain hundreds more ISIS fighters from dozens of countries”.

Jahjaga to testify at U.S. Congress on war crimes in Kosovo (media)

Several news websites report that former Kosovo President, Atifete Jahjaga, will testify at the U.S. Congress on April 30 about war crimes committed during the Kosovo conflict.

Former Klokot Mayor stopped by Serbian security (media)

Several news websites report that Srecko Spasic, former Klokot Mayor, has been stopped by Serbian forces at the Dheu i Bardhe border crossing point. Spasic used to be a member of the Serbian List before joining the SLS led by Slobodan Petrovic.