UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 1, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Sekerinska: NATO-EU cooperation, key to success for Balkans (media)
Abdixhiku speaks of “deliberate synchronized attack on LDK” (media)
Explosion at post office in Zvecan (media)
Kurti calls the explosion in Zvecan an attack by terrorist elements (media)
Svecla on explosion in Zvecan: "State will continue to act decisively" (Reporteri)
Peci: Clear attempt to destabilize region and cause fear among people (media)
EU has no criticism of Serbia’s reactions regarding Kenya's recognition of Kosovo (Telegrafi)
Prosecution finishes calling witnesses in case of former KLA leaders end (media)
Two persons from Kosovo extradited to U.S. for defrauding Americans (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbia and Hungary signed an agreement in the field of defense (Tanjug)
Serbian Democracy on long queues at Jarinje and Brnjak crossings (KoSSev, social media)
Students to organize 16 Minutes of Silence vigil in Mitrovica North tomorrow (Radio KIM, media)
Hand grenade at the Zvecan Post office: For the police, unknown perpetrators but Kurti has already linked them to Radoicic (KoSSev)
Two hand grenades thrown at Kosovo Post Office in Zvecan last night, one exploded (KoSSev)
Decision on electricity price increase in Kosovo had not entered in force yet (Radio KIM)
“Defend the Academic Community” protest to be held in four university cities (N1)

International Media:

Vucic announced experts from Russian FSB arrived to investigate use of a sonic weapon (EWB)
Trump considers former ambassadors Grenell, Friedman for U.N. role (Reuters)

Albanian Language Media

Sekerinska: NATO-EU cooperation, key to success for Balkans (media)

NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Sekerinska, announced that she met with the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Peter Sorensen.

Sekerinska, in a post on the X platform, said that the continuation of NATO-EU cooperation is the key to maintaining stability in the Western Balkans region. “It is a pleasure to meet with Peter Sorensen, the EU Special Representative for the Dialogue. The continuation of NATO-EU cooperation is the key to maintaining stability in the Western Balkans region,” Sekerinska wrote on X.

Abdixhiku speaks of “deliberate synchronized attack on LDK” (media)

The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku has responded to leaked internal communications suggesting manipulation of diaspora votes in favor of certain party candidates. His reaction came after Reporteri.net news website published screenshots from a Viber group chat involving senior LDK members, including Arben Gashi, Kujtim Shala, Armend Zemaj and Avdullah Hoti.

Abdixhiku wrote that these are synchronised attacks against LDK, claiming that both long-time and recent opponents of the party are behind the reporting, “and all those who feel that they have lost pace with the great reform that has happened, is happening and will happen in LDK”, he said.

According to him, the truth is simple. “Quite simple and fair! LDK is standing for itself; and through itself, for the Republic. And because it is standing as such, it is also being attacked by others”, he said. Abdixhiku, said that internal issues have already been discussed by the party’s leadership.

Explosion at post office in Zvecan (media)

An explosion occurred at the new offices of the Kosovo Post in Zvecan, in the early hours of Tuesday, the Kosovo Police has confirmed. There were no injuries from the detonation, while there was material damage. “We have information about a detonation that was heard at the post office building in Zvecan around 00:30”, said the deputy commander of the Police in the north, Veton Elshani. He said that no injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, as the local Serbian-language media outlet, “kossev.info” reported that the windows of the building were broken. This media outlet reported that dozens of police officers were at the scene, along with demining teams. Koha news website has learned that these teams carried out a controlled explosion of another explosive device, thrown inside the building.

The Kosovo Post sign had been placed on this building just a few days earlier. Until its closure by Kosovo authorities last year, the Serbian Postal Savings Bank operated there.

Kurti calls the explosion in Zvecan an attack by terrorist elements (media)

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has condemned the attack on the Kosovo Post facility in Zvecan, saying that the freedom of figures like Milan Radoicic is being used for chauvinistic purposes. "The criminal Radoicic's continued freedom and his non-surrender to the authorities of our state is a dangerous message that encourages criminals and terrorists, various extremists, to continue their actions with a destabilizing tendency," he wrote.

Kurti called this act a violation of security and an obstacle to the integrity of people in the legal and institutional system of Kosovo.

“The insidious grenade attack in the dark of night is an attempt out of the desperation and helplessness of those who no longer rule in northern Kosovo. The Kosovo Post will remain there as a public enterprise, a new glass will be built, and legal services will continue to be provided to all citizens. The relevant institutions are conducting full investigations to bring the perpetrators of this serious act to justice. Kosovo remains committed to regional peace and stability, but we will not allow any attempt to challenge our constitutional order and the security of our citizens,” Kurti wrote.

He further wrote that by creating artificial tensions, an attempt is being made, according to him, to hinder the normal functioning of institutions and to undermine the economic development and democratic progress of Kosovo.

Svecla on explosion in Zvecan: "State will continue to act decisively" (Reporteri)

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla has reacted after the explosion of a hand grenade in one of the Kosovo Post offices in Zvecan. He said that Kosovo will continue to act decisively to ensure the safety of its people without discrimination. “The state will continue to act decisively to ensure that all citizens, without discrimination, live in a safe and free environment,” Svecla wrote.

Peci: Clear attempt to destabilize region and cause fear among people (media)

The Mayor of Zvecan, Ilir Peci, has reacted after the grenade explosion at midnight in one of the Kosovo Post offices in this municipality. Peci has strongly condemned the attack, describing it as “a dangerous provocation and an organized terrorist act against the peace and stability in the municipality”.

“This attack is a clear attempt to destabilize the region and cause fear among citizens. The perpetrators must be found and brought to justice”, Peci wrote, among other things, on Facebook.

“According to the accurate information I have, it is the same group that is carrying out these attacks,” he told Klan Kosova.

“I have a request to the citizens that they do not need to be afraid,” Peci added. “As far as I have information from the Kosovo police, they have taken measures and will soon uncover the group,” the head of Zvecan said.

EU has no criticism of Serbia’s reactions regarding Kenya's recognition of Kosovo (Telegrafi)

The news website reports that the European Union did not give any concrete response on whether the Washington agreement, which obliges Serbia to suspend its initiative to convince various countries of the world to withdraw its recognition of Kosovo's independence, was violated, with Serbia’s reactions towards Kenya’s recognition of Kosovo.

A spokesperson for the European Union told the Telegrafi that "we took into account Kenya's recognition of Kosovo's independence. The EU is neutral on status".

“Kosovo has a clear European perspective and has submitted an application for EU membership in December 2022. The Commission remains available to prepare an Opinion on Kosovo’s application for membership as soon as the Council requests it,” the EU told Telegrafi. It was further stated that progress on the path of Serbia and Kosovo’s EU membership requires progress in the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Prosecution finishes calling witnesses in case of former KLA leaders end (media)

The Office of the Specialist Prosecutor has finished calling its witnesses in the case against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. The last witness was scheduled to testify on Tuesday, but he was unable to come, and after that, presiding judge Charles Smith III decided to postpone the trial in the case indefinitely. “The next hearing will not be April 15, will it? Because some people will not be present. So we will do it after April 15. We will do the appropriate planning, and we will notify you. Then we will take the appropriate steps, assuming that you have completed your case up to that point,” he said, reported “Oath for Justice”.

In the case against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi, the 126th witness was scheduled to testify. All four are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. All have pleaded not guilty.

Two persons from Kosovo extradited to U.S. for defrauding Americans (media)

The US Embassy in Kosovo has announced the extradition of two people accused of defrauding U.S. citizens. “We greatly appreciate the continued cooperation of the Kosovan authorities in support of the U.S. government in this case, which strengthens our joint efforts to maintain the security of Kosovo and the United States,” the announcement reads.

On December 12 of last year, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the closure of an illegal website and marketplace and the arrest of two administrators of this website, Rydox, from Kosovo with the initials A.K. and J.K.

Serbian Language Media

Serbia and Hungary signed an agreement in the field of defense (Tanjug)

An agreement between Serbia and Hungary in the field of defense was signed today in the Palace of Serbia in the presence of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, reported Tanjug.

The agreement on strategic cooperation in the field of defense was signed by the Minister of Defense of Serbia, Bratislav Gasic, and the Minister of Defense of Hungary, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky. The Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilovic, was also present.

Vucic stated after the meeting with the Minister Szalay-Bobrovniczky that Serbia has the most developed and intensive cooperation in the field of defense with Hungary in the region and expressed his belief that the agreement on joint activities will continue in the further rapprochement and creation of a military alliance or a military alliance between Serbia and Hungary.

The Minister of Defense of Hungary Szalay-Bobrovniczky said today, after a conversation with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, that the signed Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan has raised the cooperation between the two countries to an even higher level.

At the joint media conference, he said that the cooperation so far has been very successful in many areas, including military cooperation.

"At the international level, it is very important that there is cooperation with neighboring countries, such as Serbia, and that the two countries always consult. Serbia is not in the EU, but we have consultations at the highest level," explained Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

Serbian Democracy on long queues at Jarinje and Brnjak crossings (KoSSev, social media)

Serbian Democracy published this morning on their Facebook account text of the petition, aimed to reduce the queues on Brnjak and Jarinje crossing points. In the post, they informed the public they will be collecting signatures in North Mitrovica, in the vicinity of Tzar Lazar Monument on Saturday and Sunday (April 5 and 6) from 11:00 to 13:00, KoSSev portal reported.

“We, the undersigned citizens, hereby request the Kosovo police to enable the unhindered flow of people and goods at the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings by opening both lanes for traffic (in both directions) and by hiring police officers with mobile devices to check documents for a faster flow of vehicles. This way, the hours-long queues and traffic jams that have now become characteristic of these crossings will be drastically reduced.

The traffic congestion and delays are a consequence of the ban on the Serbian dinar by the Central Bank of Kosovo, the closure of Serbian institutions such as social welfare centers, interim municipal bodies, as well as other discriminatory measures by the Kosovo government against the Serbian and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo.

The aforementioned measures by the Kosovo government have led to having a large number of citizens being forced to collect their salaries, pensions and social benefits in Raška, as well as to exercise other rights there. We also demand the lifting of the verbal ban on the import of Serbian goods through the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings, which is guaranteed by the CEFTA agreement and the Berlin Process.

For years, we, as citizens, have been facing the sloppy work of the Kosovo police, which has no regard for citizens, especially the elderly, mothers with children, the sick and other vulnerable categories of the population who have to wait for hours at the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings to be able to get their business done in Raška and other nearby towns. Such decisions by the Kosovo government have affected the most vulnerable segments of the population the most - the disabled, the elderly, the sick, mothers with small children, single parents.

For the general welfare of all citizens, we believe that our request for the efficient operation of the Kosovo police is in line with the requirements of the European Union relating to the normalization of the movement of people and goods in the region. We ask that the police improve their operation at the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings in order to avoid delays of passengers traveling in both directions for several hours.

In addition, the long wait times lead to higher fuel costs, since vehicles must be constantly switched on while waiting, as well as to greater environmental pollution due to exhaust gases from motor vehicles. Ultimately, pointless spending of time waiting leads to a general decline in the productivity of the population - because the time spent waiting could be spent on work and other productive activities.

We want to believe that the Kosovo police has sufficient capacities, resources and competencies to improve the efficiency of its work in this segment”, reads the petition of the Serbian Democracy.

Students to organize 16 Minutes of Silence vigil in Mitrovica North tomorrow (Radio KIM, media)

Group of students from Pristina University with a temporary seat in Mitrovica North announced the new 16 Minutes of Silence vigil, to pay tribute to the 16 victims of Novi Sad railway station tragedy, tomorrow in Mitrovica North, Radio KIM reported.

The gathering will start at 18.00 near the Tzar Lazar Monument in the city. The gathering of students from Pristina University started at the end of January and the tribute to those who died in Novi Sad railway tragedy is paid once a week. In a last gathering tribute was also paid to the victims who perished in NATO bombing.

Hand grenade at the Zvecan Post office: For the police, unknown perpetrators but Kurti has already linked them to Radoicic (KoSSev)

The Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned the attack on the Kosovo Post office in Zvecan.

"We strongly condemn the attack with terrorist elements on the facility of the Post of Kosovo in Zvecan," he said.

Kurti said that this was an act of violence which, as he said, was an attempt to threaten security and hinder the integration of citizens into the legal and institutional system of Kosovo.

Although the perpetrator of this crime is still unknown to the police, Kurti is already linking them to Milan Radoicic.

"The fact that individuals known for their connections with criminal and terrorist groups, such as Milan Radoicic, are still at large is particularly worrying, while the authorities in Serbia give them refuge and use them for chauvinist goals," he said, adding that Radoicic still poses a danger.

"The criminal Radoicic's stay at large and his non-extradition to our state authorities is a dangerous message that encourages criminals, terrorists and various extremists to continue their destabilizing activities."

He said that this Post Office will remain where it is.

"The insidious grenade attack in the dark is an attempt to get out of the despair and powerlessness of those who no longer rule in the north of Kosovo. The Kosovo Post will remain as a public company, we will install new glass, and legal services will continue to be provided to all citizens," said Kurti.

He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and that the perpetrators will be held accountable.

Two hand grenades thrown at Kosovo Post Office in Zvecan last night, one exploded (KoSSev)

Last night, two hand grenades were thrown at the Kosovo Post Office, one of which exploded, according to new information from the Kosovo police after the investigation, reported KoSSev.

After the investigation, KP claimed that two were thrown, one of which exploded.

At the same time, they confirm that the persons who committed this act are still unknown.

"Unknown persons threw two hand grenades at the building of the Post Office of Kosovo in Zvecan. Due to the explosion of one bomb, material damage was caused, but there is no information about the injured. Upon arrival at the scene, the competent police units noticed that there was another unexploded bomb in the building and in connection with that, the residents were evacuated for a period, until the specialized unit for handling explosive devices managed to detonate the bomb," according to the police.

The anti-terrorist unit is now looking for the perpetrators, it added.

A case of "creating general danger" has been opened.

"Kosovo police strongly condemns these dangerous acts and appeals to the citizens to cooperate with the authorities to help identify the perpetrators. Any information that can help in the investigation can be reported to the police numbers or through reliable reporting lines," the report continued.

KoSSev recalls that North Mitrovica and Zvecan have been covered by Kosovo police video surveillance for several years, with a strong physical presence of police forces.

Over the past year, the installation of more than 200 police cameras in the North has been announced.

Decision on electricity price increase in Kosovo had not entered in force yet (Radio KIM)

As it was announced earlier electricity tariff prices in Kosovo were supposed to change today, however, the final decision on it will be made on April 11, Radio KIM reported citing Pristina-based media.

The Chair of the Regulatory Energy Office Board, Imer Fejzulahu told Klan Kosova decision has not been made yet and the existing tariffs remain in force. The decision will be made on April 11 and according to him a decision on increase in price would enter in force retroactively from April 1 or May 1.

This Office previously announced that electricity prices will increase by 15 percent. Such a decision caused harsh reactions from the public, and citizens announced the protest over it on April 5 in Pristina. Economy experts accused Kosovo technical government for increasing the electricity prices, adding the government did not have a strategic plan to use natural resources.

As KESCO company said the change in weather also impacted the increase in the price of electricity leading to change in distribution of lower tariffs. The more expensive tariffs will be in force until September 30 and during this period cheaper tariffs apply to the period from 23.00 in the evening to 8.00 in the morning, Radio KIM also said.

“Defend the Academic Community” protest to be held in four university cities (N1)

University professors will organize on Monday in four Serbian cities a protest titled “Defend the academic community.”

The protest rallies in Nis, Belgrade, Kragujevac and Novi Sad are set to begin at 7 pm.

The call to protest, shared on social media, says the event aims to demonstrate the unity of the academic community in fearlessly defending knowledge, people, and the future.

“Students have been under pressure for months; violence is escalating at all levels. Deans and rectors are being threatened, and some have already been attacked – even with knives! We cannot remain silent!” the protest invitation reads.

The call also notes that the academic community is not merely a group of students and professors, but a space of freedom, knowledge, and critical thinking, all of which are seriously threatened in Serbia.

Natalija Jovanovic, dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at Nis University, was attacked Sunday in the city of Nis by a woman with a knife.

“I am again accusing just one person: the one who drew a knife on me, and that is the president of this country,” Jovanovic said following the incident.

Three days before the incident, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic referred to Dean Jovanovic as a “criminal from Nis” on a Serbian public broadcaster RTS program and made a series of accusations against her.

International

Vucic announced experts from Russian FSB arrived to investigate use of a sonic weapon (EWB)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on 29 March that experts of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) had arrived in Serbia to investigate the allegations of the use of a “sound cannon” against peaceful protesters on 15 March. Earlier, the authorities announced that they had invited both the FSB and the FBI to investigate the case, claiming they had nothing to hide.

The controversy over the allegations of a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters on 15 March in Belgrade has gained global attention. Authorities denied using such a weapon, but their official story turned out to have several inconsistencies. They have not provided an alternative explanation of the testimonies of the crowd that night.