UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 12, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Ziadeh welcomes Ambassador Hovenier in farewell meeting, thanks him for support in dialogue (Klan)
Svecla and Ridley talk about cooperation in fighting organized crime (RTK)
KFOR Commander calls for unity and security in Kosovo and the region (RTK)
Special Prosecutor in Kosovo for a number of meetings (media)
Kurti: The aim is to build efficient administration through digitalization (RTK)
CEC: 28 political entities with 1,280 candidates applied for certification (media)
Kurti meets Director General of Austrian Development Agency (media)
Court of Appeal decides to leave two Montenegrin soldiers in custody (Klan)
Kosovo-Albania arms trafficking criminal group destroyed (media)
LDK first in survey on which party has the best candidates for MPs (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Belgrade welcomes Serbian List's decision to participate in elections (Tanjug, TV Prva)
Jevtic: Important to win all ten mandates to stop those who would work according to Pristina dictates (Kosovo Online)
Five lists from Serbian community to participate in elections in Kosovo (Danas)
Dukagjini: Around 2,000 police officers in north, most from other parts of Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Court of Appeals upholds first-instance decision on detention of three Montenegrin men in Pec (TV Most)
Vucic: Gathering outside Presidency building shows political nature of protests (Tanjug
Minister Dacic: Security situation in Serbia stable despite hybrid war (N1)
Student-led blockades spread to over 40 university faculties across Serbia (N1)
Brnabic on motion to relieve her of duty (Tanjug)

Opinion:

The storm of propaganda, the persecution of truth (KoSSev)

International Media:

Serb Ex-Policeman Convicted of War Crimes in Kosovo Wins Retrial (Balkan Insight)
BIRN Reality Check: No Safe House in Kosovo for Abused LGBTQ+ People (Balkan Insight)
Serbia imports wireless equipment capable of indiscriminate mass surveillance (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Ziadeh welcomes Ambassador Hovenier in farewell meeting, thanks him for support in dialogue (Klan)

UNMIK Chief in Kosovo, Caroline Ziadeh, welcomed U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier in a farewell meeting. She thanked Hovenier for the cooperation and support shown in the dialogue, building peace and trust in Kosovo and the region. Among other things, she wished the outgoing ambassador success in his future commitments.

Svecla and Ridley talk about cooperation in fighting organized crime (RTK)

Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla met with the Permanent Secretary of the United Kingdom, Simon Bridley and the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves. In a post on Facebook, Svecla announced that further cooperation in the fight against organized crime was discussed at the meeting.

“Pleasant meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the United Kingdom Simon Bridley and the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo Jonathan Hargreaves. We reconfirmed our full commitment to further cooperation in the fight against organized crime, for which we are always grateful to the United Kingdom for their unstinting support in this regard,” Svecla wrote on Facebook.

KFOR Commander calls for unity and security in Kosovo and the region (RTK)

KFOR Commander, Major General Enrico Barduani met on Wednesday at KFOR Headquarters ambassadors and heads of missions from 29 allied and partner countries contributing troops to KFOR. The discussion focused on a number of topics, including the security situation.

According to a KFOR announcement, they focused on current activities of the NATO mission in Kosovo, as well as cooperation with the international community. Barduani emphasized joint efforts with allies in order to contribute to sustainable security throughout Kosovo and regional security. “I have placed great emphasis on unity of effort and unity of purpose, so that together we can contribute to sustainable security throughout Kosovo and regional security,” the KFOR commander is quoted as saying.

KFOR noted that it works in close coordination with the Kosovo Police and EULEX, in their respective roles as security responders.

Special Prosecutor in Kosovo for a number of meetings (media)

Specialist Prosecutor's Office (SPO), Kimberly West, is staying for an official visit to Kosovo, six days after the filing of the new indictment against Hashim Thaci, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuci. The Specialized Prosecutor's Office (SPO), has announced that Prosecutor Kimberly West is staying for an official visit to Kosovo - within the framework of which there will be a series of meetings. The news was announced by the SPO through a press release sent to the media.

West will also have a closed briefing with journalists, but from which they will not be allowed to extract information, unless an interview with Prosecutor West has been previously arranged.

The Special Court on December 7 filed a new indictment against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci for attempting to obstruct officials in the performance of official duties by participating in a joint action of a group.

Kurti: The aim is to build efficient administration through digitalization (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said at the launch of the Digital Governance Strengthening Project for Service Delivery organized in partnership with the World Bank, the Digital Kosovo is more than a project. “It is our vision, goal and commitment together,” Kurti emphasized. He said that at the core of the project lies the principle of public administration to serve residents.

“We aim to build a transparent, accountable and efficient administration through digitalization. This initiative with a budget of 18.5 million euros redefines the approach to public services and is linked to our eKosovo strategy,” Kurti said.

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said that this is an extremely important project, paving the way where technology empowers residents. This initiative, according to him, is an integral part of the national vision for an advanced Digital Kosovo.

The World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo and North Macedonia, Massimiliano Paolucci, noted that this project reflects the joint ambition of the government and the World Bank to increase trust between residents and institutions.

According to him, the project supports efficiency and greater public service. He said that the Project foresees the creation of jobs and also lays the foundations in the private sector and job creation.

CEC: 28 political entities with 1,280 candidates applied for certification (media)

The Spokesperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Valmir Elezi has announced that the period for application of political entities for certification and submission of the list of candidates for MP’s for participation in the February 9 elections has been concluded.

According to him, during this period (September 1 – December 11, 2004, 23:59), 28 political entities have applied, of which 20 political parties; five coalitions; two civic initiatives; and one independent candidate. The total number of candidates for MPs representing these political entities is 1280 candidates.

Kurti meets Director General of Austrian Development Agency (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti hosted today a meeting with Director General of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) Friedrich Stift. According to a press release, they discussed the possibilities for deepening coordination in the development and further expansion of dual education, which is now in its third year of implementation in 12 profiles, 25 schools from a total of 15 municipalities with 1,607 students. They also talked about digitalization in schools and cultural tourism and the possibilities for cooperation in these areas. Stift, was accompanied at this meeting by the Ambassador of Austria to Kosovo, Georg Schnetzer, and the ADA Director for Kosovo, Rita Glavitza.

Court of Appeal decides to leave two Montenegrin soldiers in custody (Klan)

The Court of Appeal has decided to leave the two soldiers and a citizen of Montenegro in custody. A few weeks ago, they were arrested at the Decan Monastery, as their license plates carried the inscription "Kosovo is Serbia".

The three suspects have been arrested on suspicion of having committed the criminal offense of inciting hatred and intolerance. Rajko Krivokapic and Dragutin Lalatovic, as well as another Montenegrin citizen with the initials M.J. have been in custody since November 24.

Kosovo-Albania arms trafficking criminal group destroyed (media)

A Kosovo-Albania arms trafficking group has been destroyed by the police. From the first details of the operation, it was announced that 14 arrest warrants have been issued and weapons and ammunition have been seized.

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo has announced that search warrants have been carried out in nine (9) locations owned by the suspects. During this operation, 22 ‘Zoraki’ firearms, one Ak 47 firearm, one offensive hand grenade and 470 cartridges of various types were seized. 3 vehicles and considerable amounts of money and 10 mobile phones were also seized.

Eight (08) suspects have been arrested and taken into custody, six of them Kosovo citizens, while two of them are citizens of the Republic of Albania.

LDK first in survey on which party has the best candidates for MPs (Nacionale)

Last night on the Rubikon show of Klan Kosova, a survey analyzed residents’ preferences for political parties and lists of MPs. The main question of the survey was: "Which party has the best list of MPs?" The results showed that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) came first, with 44% of the support from respondents. VV came second with 30%, while PDK third with 21%.

This result shows that citizens see the LDK as the political force with the most preferred candidates for the next legislature.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic: Belgrade welcomes Serbian List's decision to participate in elections (Tanjug, TV Prva)

''Belgrade welcomes the decision of the Serbian List to take part in the upcoming elections on February 9 in Pristina and to win a convincing victory, which means winning all 10 guaranteed seats in the Pristina Parliament and thus to continue the fight for the survival of the Serbian people in KiM through all democratic means and through institutions',' said the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic.

"Everything that is happening to the Serbian people in KiM, especially in recent months, especially in the north, has only given additional strength to our people and the Serbian List to go to these elections and win a convincing victory. The list of 48 candidates of the Serbian List speaks of the seriousness of the list. It is about a political party and a political factor that represents the strength of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, and they are the only legitimate representatives of the Serbian people in KiM," Petkovic told TV Prva.

He stated that the list includes the most respected doctors, university professors, doctors of science, many important and brave people, and among them Dragica Gasic, the first woman who returned to her native Djakovica since the conflict in 1999.

Jevtic: Important to win all ten mandates to stop those who would work according to Pristina dictates (Kosovo Online)

The Vice-President of the Serbian List and the President of the Municipality of Strpce, Dalibor Jevtic, said that the SL will participate in the parliamentary elections on February 9 in order not to allow someone to work against the interests of the Serbs, and fill the places guaranteed for the representatives of the Serbian community in the Assembly, as well as in Kosovo Government.

He said that the SL with the list of candidates, submitted yesterday, will work in the interest of the Serbian community and will not allow anything that could harm the position of the Serbian people in Kosovo.

"Without a double two-thirds majority, one cannot, for example, change the Law on Local Self-Government and other regulations that enter into the part called the interest and rights of non-majority communities. We will not allow someone who is a Serb by name and surname to sit in the Kosovo Government, who was not even elected by the Serbian people, nor by Serbian MPs, and who will vote, let's say as Rasic did, for the usurpation of Serbian property in the north of Kosovo. There are many examples when Mr. Rasic raised his hand for what is against the interest of the Serbian people, because he has to. He was not chosen by the Serbian people; he was chosen by Kurti who put him there and told him 'you will do what I tell you'. This is precisely why we must fight through the next election process and not allow that in those places, both in the Assembly and in the Government, to have anyone who will work against the interests of the Serbian people. That is the most important thing and that is the reason why we are participating in the elections on February 9", Jevtic said.

He added that another proof of the non-democracy that reigns in Kosovo was that ''there is currently no vice president of Kosovo Assembly from the ranks of the Serbian community, and that function was important in terms of the processes taking place in Kosovo Parliament''.

"On the other hand, the picture when the members of the Serbian List are not allowed to be in the parliament of Kosovo is a picture of what the regime's attitude towards the Serbian people is today. The sentence when the Assembly Speaker tells the deputies of the Serbian List to leave the hall is a sentence that can literally mean that the Serbian people should not be in Kosovo. Our democratic struggle is not to allow anyone from the ranks of the Albanian people who is elected, whether as president of the Assembly or whatever, to achieve his goal, which is that there are no Serbs either in the institutions or in Kosovo in general," said Jevtic.

Five lists from Serbian community to participate in elections in Kosovo (Danas)

Danas daily reported that 28 parties, coalitions and initiatives of Albanians, Serbs and members of other ethnic communities submitted election lists to the Central Election Commission in Kosovo. All of them, upon receiving the CEC approval, will participate in the parliamentary elections on February 9, next year in Kosovo.

The application deadline expired yesterday, and according to CEC data, 20 political parties, five coalitions, two citizen initiatives and one independent candidate applied for the elections.

Among the applicants are the Democratic Party of Kosovo, the Democratic Alliance of Kosovo, the "Self-Determination" Movement, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo in coalition with the Social Democratic Initiative, the Conservative List and the Forum of Intellectuals.

In addition to the Serbian List for the elections on February 9, lists were submitted by the Serbian People's Movement of Milija Bisevac, Serbian Democracy of Aleksandar Arsenijevic, the Party of Kosovo Serbs, Aleksandar Jablanovic, as well as Freedom, Justice, and Survival of the current minister Nenad Rasic.

Dukagjini: Around 2,000 police officers in north, most from other parts of Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Following the explosion on the Ibar-Lepenac canal, Kosovo police increased its presence in northern Kosovo. Dukagjini media outlet reported that approximately 2,000 police officers have been deployed in the four northern municipalities, most of whom come from other parts of Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Most of these officers are from police stations in other cities, including the regional police units from Djakovica, Klina, and Srbica. Kosovo police deputy commander for the North region, Veton Elshani said this was done due to "field needs, especially after the terrorist attack" in the village of Varage, near Zubin Potok.

"We have assistance from other regions, based on operational plans. There are 330 police officers here, but if we have a larger engagement plan, the entire General Directorate of Police is fully engaged, and we receive assistance from other municipalities", he explained. Shifts last more than 12 hours, sometimes without a day off. "It's not relentless work, but it is a duty, so we consider it acceptable", he said.

Court of Appeals upholds first-instance decision on detention of three Montenegrin men in Pec (TV Most)

The Court of Appeals upheld the basic court in Pec decision to send to 30-day detention three young Montenegrin men, arrested after attending a celebration at Visoki Decani Monastery over inscription “Kosovo is Serbia” on their vehicle plates, TV Most reported.

Two of the arrested men are members of the Montenegrin Army.

Vucic: Gathering outside Presidency building shows political nature of protests (Tanjug)

In a public address from the Presidency of Serbia, President Aleksandar Vucic said some 600 people were making noise outside the building, showing he had been right in saying that ongoing protests in the country were exclusively political in nature, Tanjug news agency reported.

He said all people arrested during protests in the wake of a deadly overhang collapse at the Novi Sad railway station last month had been released from detention and that all demands made by students who were blocking faculty buildings had been met despite being politically motivated. Vucic also said he would not back a bill on foreign agents, tabled by Aleksandar Vulin's Movement of Socialists.

"For several reasons, we will not accept the bill tabled by the parliamentary group or MPs of our (coalition) partner Aleksandar Vulin, even though many people in the Serbian Progressive Party believe it contains elements taken from US, Western European and Russian legislation that could be accepted", he said.

"But my answer is no", Vucic added. He said pressure groups aiming to topple the Serbian authorities had received 426 mln euros from abroad in the past four years. "Some political parties are very nervous because major, fundamental changes are expected to happen in the world", he said.

"As I have heard - I might have heard it wrong but I am usually well-informed - (US President-elect) Donald Trump is preparing 200 acts he will enact a day or two after taking power. Once he does that, the entire system of the fake liberal world that has existed will collapse", Vucic said. In that system, there were those who were "their servants, who are good and desirable, and everyone else is evil and bad", he added.

Minister Dacic: Security situation in Serbia stable despite hybrid war (N1)

Serbian Internal Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic told Serbian public broadcaster RTS that the security situation in the country remains stable despite being exposed to what he called a hybrid war, N1 reported.

Dacic said that the main demand of the student protests has been met, with all documents related to the reconstruction of the Novi Sad train station to be made available on the government’s official website.

The state is stronger than any challenge, Dacic stressed, explaining that it is no coincidence the law bans protests in locations that could compromise public safety, which is why protests and gatherings must be officially announced in advance.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/wmUKd

Student-led blockades spread to over 40 university faculties across Serbia (N1)

Student protests have spread to approximately 40 faculties across four Serbian universities, with demonstrators once again pausing on Wednesday to commemorate victims of the Novi Sad tragedy with 15-minute road blockades. On November 1, a concrete canopy collapsed at the recently reconstructed Novi Sad train station, killing 15 people and leaving two seriously injured, N1 reported.

Some of the students’ key demands include the release of complete documentation regarding the Novi Sad train station reconstruction project and the prosecution of those who attacked Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU) students during a protest on November 22. The movement has gained widespread support from the University of Belgrade, academics, activists, farmers, political parties, and members of the public.

The protests, which began with faculty blockades just over two weeks ago, have grown steadily. At the University of Belgrade, 25 of 31 faculties have joined. The University of Novi Sad has seen nearly complete participation, with only three faculties yet to join: the Medical Faculty (which has announced plans to participate), the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education, and the Faculty of Agriculture. In Nis, three of its University’s 13 faculties have joined: Philosophy, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Arts.

At the University of Kragujevac, students from the Faculty of Philology and Arts have been blocking the University’s Rectorate since December 6, joined by Engineering Sciences students protesting at their own faculty. According to Beta news agency, Natural Sciences and Mathematics students were set to begin their blockade Wednesday.

Brnabic on motion to relieve her of duty (Tanjug)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Wednesday 41 opposition MPs had filed a motion to relieve her of duty over a lack of a debate on the 2025 budget and noted that the opposition itself had announced there would be no session on the matter and caused incidents in the parliament, Tanjug news agency reported.

Brnabic said she had done everything in her power for a debate to go ahead and that this had been evident to all people, regardless of whether they supported the ruling coalition or opposition parties.

"Everyone was able to see for themselves who did everything in their power for the budget law to be debated and who did everything they could for the session not to be held, and previously also announced that there would be no session and that it would be blocked", Brnabic told a press conference. She quoted a statement by Democratic Party MP Srdjan Milivojevic that "we will not have a session on the budget" and a post by Freedom and Justice Party MP Marinika Tepic, who has written on X that "we have succeeded in interrupting a session they wanted to hold - we will not let this session be continued".

Opinion

The storm of propaganda, the persecution of truth (KoSSev)

By Tatjana Lazarevic, KoSSev Editor in Chief

There is no more precarious time for a journalist than when they begin to question the very purpose of their work.

Who, in today’s climate, regards journalism—or even journalists’ safety—as essential? Especially in societies marred by insecurity, injustice, and the erosion of dignity.

How appropriate is it to focus on journalists’ plight in a country grappling with tragedies like the collapse of a renovated railway station canopy, killing 15 people, or the horrifying mass murders—one by a schoolboy in the capital, leaving nine children and a security guard dead, and another by a young man the following day, claiming nine more lives near the same city? Or when a 74-year-old protester is brutally beaten by police, leaving him disabled?

What’s the point of explaining the latest cloud of insecurity hanging over the dwindling Serbian community in Kosovo when propaganda suffocates both Kosovo and Serbia, affecting everyone—Serbs and Albanians alike? How can journalists persevere when their communities are decimated and despondency reigns?

The greatest threat to journalism comes from propaganda, while despair erodes dignity. Propaganda in Serbia and Kosovo takes many forms—grey, black, war propaganda, personality cults, and fake news. Serbia’s state-controlled media juggernaut remains unmatched in the region, while Kosovo has seen a surge of agitprop fueled by the governing Vetëvendosje movement, which also brings hatred, violence, and insecurity.

***

If Serbia has a “golden age,” so does Kosovo: a supposed era of robust economic growth, strong democracy, rule of law, military and security advancements, investments, potential to become Europe’s new Silicon Valley, educational excellence, and cultural renaissance benefiting all, including the Serbian minority, which Vetëvendosje claims to have “freed” from Serbian criminals and terrorists. Perhaps in Serbia, the imaginary enemy never sleeps, but in Kosovo, that enemy is unmistakably Serbia. The aggressive northern neighbor whose malignant influence seeps into nearly everything Serbian in Kosovo – from the Serbs themselves, depicted as terrorists and criminals, to churches that first appropriated Albanian identity and later became weapons caches, all fueled by the familiar strain of Greater Serbian nationalism.

Gurakuç Kuçi from the Oktopus Institute emphasized, following the incident on the Ibar-Lepenac canal, that further “discoveries of weaponry” in the North are expected.

“As in the case of Banjska, where a large amount of weaponry was found in the church in Banjska, we don’t know what is hidden in Orthodox churches, whether there are weapons or who is staying in these religious sites,“ said this expert on Kosovo’s largest television station, Klan Kosova.

The media outlets reporting this statement, including Klan, concluded their coverage with this remark, without editorial clarification that the :large weaponry” was not found in the Banjska Monastery itself, but rather in the surrounding area. Furthermore, it was established that the small pieces of equipment found within the monastery complex were remnants from a Serbian paramilitary group that had broken into the monastery, contrary to its will and interests. This was later confirmed by the Diocese during the conflict.

When I recently attended the monastery celebration in Visoki Decani, an Albanian taxi driver shared a personal story with me in front of the monastery gates, cautioning me about the risks associated with my profession. “After all these reports in the media – what weapons are being kept in churches?” he asked, clearly conveying his belief in this narrative.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2esxv3eu

International

Serb Ex-Policeman Convicted of War Crimes in Kosovo Wins Retrial (Balkan Insight)

Kosovo's Appeals Court has ordered a retrial for former policeman Caslav Jolic, who was sentenced to eight years in prison in June for wartime violence against ethnic Albanians in the Istog/Istok area.

In the verdict, dated November 29 but obtained by BIRN on Wednesday, the court upheld Jolic’s defence’s complaint and ruled that the verdict by Pristina’s Basic Court “contains essential violations of criminal procedure provisions”. The verdict said Jolic should stay in detention pending the retrial “unless the first-instance court decides otherwise”.

Pristina Basic Court found Jolic guilty of involvement in war crimes in the area of Istog/Istok in 1998 against Kosovo Albanian civilians. In December 2022, he pleaded not guilty to charges.