• Veseli: I have nothing to do with video, it is fake and manipulation (media)
• Opposition demands Veseli’s resignation (media)
• PDK: Allegations against Veseli, attempts to stain his name (Zeri)
• Haradinaj not concerned by opposition’s motion of no-confidence (Koha)
• Haradinaj: Decision on visa liberalization in autumn this year (Zeri)
• Osmani: Border changes are ideas from the 18^th century (media)
• CEC confirms Serbian List’s victory in northern municipalities (media)
• Minister: KSF transition to be implemented in three stages (Epoka e Re)

Veseli: I have nothing to do with video, it is fake and manipulation (media)

Kosovo Assembly President and Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader, Kadri Veseli, held a press conference on Thursday after the publication of several videos showing people suspected of being involved in criminal activities mentioning his name. Veseli told reporters that he has nothing to do with the case or the people involved in it. “This week, some media published videos from a case of organized crime, in which some people who are suspected of usury, fraud and other serious crimes, mentioned my name. I want to say that have nothing to do with the case or the people involved in it. This is a classic case of deception and manipulation. I am confident that investigative and judicial authorities were aware of it for a long time now,” he said. Veseli said that if there is any indication that he was involved in the affair, he will immediately resign. “This is my life’s belief. This is my policy. I say with full confidence: my name was misused in this criminal act of deception. When the truth will come out, someone will have to be held accountable, regardless of whether they are part of police, the judiciary or politics,” Veseli said. “How is it possible that in this case of organized crime, and there was evidence since 2013, that action was undertaken six years later? Who is the person, or persons, that have covered this case of organized crime for over six years? Who and for what reason used this delay and made it possible to cover-up and not prosecute the criminal act? Why were these video-recordings kept in the files of police and prosecution for so many years and were not addressed in due time and with the necessary actions … The video clearly reveals there was a crime, and this is evident to every citizen and let alone to the judiciary. There are two crimes here. The crime that was committed and the crime was covered up. It is an even bigger crime to cover-up a crime for six years. There is no doubt that this is an organized crime scheme and I can assure that this will be seen through, until the whole case is clarified and all those that were involved in the attempt to stain my name are brought to justice. Someone will be held accountable. Someone will have to answer for this”. Several news websites reported on Thursday that Veseli has filed a lawsuit against the persons shown in the video for, as he said, misusing his name. “I will see this case through,” Veseli wrote on Facebook.

Opposition demands Veseli’s resignation (media)

Representatives of opposition parties in Kosovo are demanding the resignation of Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli after a video that surfaced recently shows a group of men in an alleged act of usury demanding money in Veseli’s name.

While Veseli categorically denied any involvement in the case and said he would resign if proven otherwise, Vetevendosje said his resignation as a moral act should precede criminal investigation process while if the relevant institutions determine he was involved in the case, “he will go straight to prison not resign.”

At the same time, MP from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Dardan Molliqaj said in a Facebook post that the fact that the case has been with the prosecution of Kosovo for six years and never so far addressed is an indicator that the judicial institutions are under the control of the so-called Pronto clan. “Not only has Kadri Veseli not been tried or convicted but he was never even invited for interview about the case,” Molliqaj wrote.

When asked to comment on allegations against Veseli, Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj said the justice should be allowed to run its course. “Credibility of allegations needs to be determined. It is too soon to assess such allegations because a court should do this,” Haradinaj said yesterday.

PDK: Allegations against Veseli, attempts to stain his name (Zeri)

The deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj said in a press conference yesterday that allegations made against the party leader and Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli are untrue and represent attempts to stain his name. “No effort on the part of criminal groups to stain the figure of the PDK leader will stop our state-building agenda,” Hoxhaj said.

He added that one of the persons in the video clip that appears to show an act of usury taking place has been reported to authorities by PDK deputy leader Xhavit Haliti in 2014 after his name was used in a similar scenario. “The question is why was this case not investigated thoroughly,” Hoxhaj said.

Haradinaj not concerned by opposition’s motion of no-confidence (Koha)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, said on Thursday that he is not concerned by attempts by opposition parties to submit a motion of no-confidence against his government, the paper reports on page three. Haradinaj said that is a legitimate right of the opposition. “The opposition is exercising its rights … We on the other hand believe we need to continue our work and focus on important topics,” Haradinaj told reporters after the government meeting.

Haradinaj: Decision on visa liberalization in autumn this year (Zeri)

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj told reporters in Pristina on Thursday that a decision on visa liberalization for Kosovo’s citizens will be made in autumn this year. “We are now in the implementation phase. I think the position of the German government marks a turning point. We need to coordinate our inclusion on the agenda. I don’t think a decision will be made in June, it is too early. I think we will get the good news in autumn,” Haradinaj added.

Osmani: Border changes are ideas from the 18^th century (media)

Several news websites report that members of Kosovo Assembly’s Foreign Relations Committee are visiting the UK where they met with members of the British Parliament and the Foreign Affairs Committee. LDK MP Vjosa Osmani said the meetings focused on the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and Kosovo’s future. Osmani said at the meetings they agreed that dangerous ideas for border changes are ideas from the 18^th century and that the UK does not support them. “Dialogue has been sidetracked and Kosovo’s sovereignty has been put on the table. This topic needs to be urgently removed from dialogue and the two governments must focus on topics that are important for both peoples. The idea for territorial exchange can have a domino effect and as such it should not be discussed,” she added.

CEC confirms Serbian List’s victory in northern municipalities (media)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) announced final results of extraordinary mayoral elections in northern municipalities of Kosovo with the Serbian List declared winner in all of four.

Head of CEC, Valdete Daka, said the announcement is followed by a 24-hour period during which parties and candidates are entitled to appeal the results.

Minister: KSF transition to be implemented in three stages (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo’s Defence Minister, Rrustem Berisha, met yesterday members of the Assembly committee on internal affairs, security and oversight of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and said that the transition of the KSF will be implemented in three stages and will take ten years. He noted that the transition process will be carried out in coordination with Kosovo’s strategic partners.