UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 18, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani hints that she has authority, but conditions for new elections have not yet been met (Express)
Murati accuses Supreme Court of violating the Constitution: “An absurd decision” (media)
Court session for 'Banjska' case postponed (media)
Police officer arrested for espionage to appear in Court today (Reporteri)
Kosovo Police Inspectorate opens new offices in North Mitrovica (RTK)
AAK MP: We will not vote for Limaj as Assembly Speaker (media)
Ferid Agani forms a new political party in Kosovo (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic met UK Special Envoy for WB Pierce, discussed Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (media)
Memorial to Serbs killed and kidnapped in Orahovac in 1998 held today (TV Most, Tanjug)
Milenkovic: Political actors aware new elections are only option, but no agreement on date (media)
KDI: As never before, this government has ignored recommendations of civil society (Kosovo Online)
Deputy mayor of South Mitrovica unveils animation of new bridge over Ibar River (KoSSev, media)
Hearing in Banjska case adjourned, new one to take place on Monday (media)
Outgoing EU Ambassador says Serbia’s progress is common goal (N1, media)
PM denies repression against universities (N1)
EP initiates resolution on protests in Serbia (N1)

Opinion:

Al Jazeera Balkans’ closure adds to regional media’s woes (Balkan Insight)

International:

Kapetanovic: The Growth Plan has injected fresh energy into our region’s EU path (EWB)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani hints that she has authority, but conditions for new elections have not yet been met (Express)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, stated that there are still no legal conditions to call new elections, despite public requests. She clarified that the Constitution does not allow her to dissolve the Assembly at this stage, since the Assembly has yet to be constituted following the February 9, 2025 elections.

Osmani noted that it is not the role of the president to negotiate political coalitions and added that if legal deadlines—such as the failure to elect a government within 30 days (as recommended by the Constitutional Court)—are not met, then there must be legal consequences.

She declined to comment on the recent Supreme Court decision regarding the holding of dual positions by Albin Kurti and several ministers.

Murati accuses Supreme Court of violating the Constitution: “An absurd decision” (media)

Caretaker Finance Minister Hekuran Murati strongly criticized the Supreme Court of Kosovo for annulling the Administrative Instruction on Digital Fiscal Cash Registers, calling it a major setback for fiscal digitalization and tax modernization efforts. He accused the court of contradicting the Constitutional Court’s ruling (Judgment KO124/25), which states that MPs only assume their roles after the Assembly is constituted. Murati argued that, since the Assembly is not yet formed, there is no legal basis for claiming a conflict of interest. He denounced the Supreme Court’s interpretation as legally flawed and publicly embarrassing.

Court session for 'Banjska' case postponed (media)

The court session for the Banjska case against Blagoje Spasojevic, Vladimir Tolic, and Dusan Maksimovic was postponed for Monday, as a key prosecution witness could not attend. The three defendants, accused of participating in a terrorist attack in Banjska (Zvecan), were brought to court under heavy security. So far, several police officers involved in the counter-operation have testified.

Police officer arrested for espionage to appear in Court today (Reporteri)

The police officer Bojan Jevtic, who was arrested Thursday on suspicion of espionage, will appear today before the Basic Court in Pristina. The court session, during which the detention measure is expected to be determined, will be held at 1:00 PM, confirmed court spokesperson Mirlinda Gashi.

During a raid at Jevtic's home in a village in Kamenica, the Prosecutor’s Office said they seized confidential Kosovo Police documents, several smartphones, USB devices, a handgun, ammunition, and cash including €10,000, 2 million Serbian dinars, 600 Swiss francs, and other evidence to be examined during the investigation.

The Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (IPK) has recommended Jevtic’s suspension. He held the position of Chief of Operations in the Border Police at the “Dheu i Bardhë” border crossing.

According to a statement, the Special Prosecutor’s Office will file the request for detention within the legal deadline in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code.

Acting Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla stated that Jevtic is suspected of engaging in illegal espionage activities on behalf of Serbian security structures. “This will be the fate of anyone trying to undermine the trusted role within the police. We will remain uncompromising and vigilant in the face of any attempt to turn the space our country provides into a threat against our Republic,” Svecla said. He also praised the security institutions for their actions in this operation.

Kosovo Police Inspectorate opens new offices in North Mitrovica (RTK)

The Kosovo Police Inspectorate (KPI) has officially opened new offices today in North Mitrovica. The office is located in the Bosniak Quarter, on “Clirimi” Street, inside the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

This move is seen as an improvement in services and a step toward strengthening public trust in the rule of law, according to Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla and IPK Chief Executive Kushtrim Hodaj. “For years, KPI has been providing services in North Mitrovica since opening its first office in 2015, which was previously housed in a rented facility on ‘King Peter’s Street,” the press release stated. The new KPI offices in North Mitrovica will operate Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 16:00, serving the people of the area.

AAK MP: We will not vote for Limaj as Assembly Speaker (media)

Lahi Brahimaj, a Member of Parliament from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), stated that his party will not support Fatmir Limaj as a candidate for Speaker of the Assembly, should such a proposal be made. “We have said it several times, under no circumstances would we vote for Fatmir Limaj as Speaker,” Brahimaj stated.

According to him, Vetevendosje (VV) already has an agreement with Serbian List and Nisma, and all they’re missing is the use of a secret ballot. “It seems VV already has the guaranteed votes of the Serbian List. They claim the opposition is blocking the process, but in every session when they leave the hall, it’s the Serbian List and Nisma that leave as well. All they need now is a secret ballot, because the deal is in place,” Brahimaj said.

Ferid Agani forms a new political party in Kosovo (Reporteri)

Ferid Agani has launched a new political party in Kosovo called "Forca e Re Kombëtare" (National New Force). The party held its founding council meetings on July 14 and 17, where leadership structures were established and key documents were planned, including the party's statute, political program, and ideological platform.

The party emphasizes values such as family, tradition, morality, national identity, and individual freedom within a democratic framework. It also aims to unite the Justice Party with the intellectual group "Integrity", combining past political experience with a new vision. The goal is to create a responsible, open, and citizen-focused political alternative in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic met UK Special Envoy for WB Pierce, discussed Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic met today in Belgrade with UK Special Envoy for Western Balkans Dame Karen Pierce and informed her on this occasion of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, but also about Pristina’s refusal to discuss proposals on de-escalation of the situation on the ground, Kosovo Online portal reported. Petkovic accused Pristina that instead of engaging in de-escalation, it is guided by policy of illegal and unilateral acts, the statement from Office for KiM said.

As Petkovic said, instead of honoring agreements and deals from Brussels, Pristina systematically undermines all achievements from the dialogue, and refuses to establish a Community of the Serbian Municipalities.

"Albin Kurti is attempting to conceal political crisis in Pristina with attacks on the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, arbitrary arrests, dangerous plans to open two new bridges, police occupation and militarization of the north of Kosovo and Metohija, closure of Serbian institutions, all of which have the ultimate goal to change the ethnic structure in the Serbian areas and expel Serbs", Petkovic warned.

He added that this is evidenced by almost seven hundred incidents against Serbs, SOC and their properties in Kosovo, since Albin Kurti came to power, dozens of escalating moves, persecution of Serbian List leaders so to leave the Serbian people without protection, and all this aiming at creating impossible conditions for the life of the Serbian people in Kosovo, the statement said. Petkovic noted that despite everything, Belgrade remains committed to dialogue and normalization of relations, underlining the key to progress in this process is that Pristina urgenlty establish Community of Serbian Municipalities.

Memorial to Serbs killed and kidnapped in Orahovac in 1998 held today (TV Most, Tanjug)

The 27th anniversary of the massive kidnapping, expulsion and murder of 84 Serbs in the territory of Orahovac municipality was marked today at Belgrade-city cemetery Orlovaca, where 25 victims of this crime are buried, TV Most reported.

The memorial service was held in a Church of Saint Prokopije in attendance of the Association of Missing and Killed Serbs from Kosovo representatives, members of families and Serbian Government officials.

On July 18, 1998 members of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) committed massive kidnappings and murders of Serbs and Roma in Orahovac municipality. In the period from July 17 to July 22, 1998, more than 100 Serbs and Roma, mostly civilians were kidnapped and taken to KLA prison camps. Many of them are still have not been found.

Remains of 36 persons, kidnapped during this period, have been identified using DNA samples in mass graves in Malisevo and Volujak, in 2005.

Milenkovic: Political actors aware new elections are only option, but no agreement on date (media)

Marko Milenkovic from Mitrovica North-based New Social Initiative civil society organization opined that new elections could be held through political consensus among parties winning seats in the Assembly. This would involve first forming the Assembly, then dissolving it and calling for elections. However, he notes that recent developments have shown there's no chance of reaching such a consensus.

"On one hand, the Self-Determination continues to hold its position of not wanting to change its candidate for the Assembly Speaker and refuses to make the process constructive for the opposition in order to secure consensus for taking further steps. On the other hand, the opposition insists on changing the candidate. So, at this moment, it seems impossible to reach political consensus", Milenkovic said.

The second option to trigger elections, he says, would be to appeal to the Constitutional Court.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/av39O

Hearing in Banjska case adjourned, new one to take place on Monday (media)

A protected witness hearing was supposed to take place today at the Basic Court in Pristina, however, the hearing was adjourned as the witness did not appear, Kosovo Online portal reported. The protected witness was supposed to testify in the Banjska case involving three Serbs, arrested in relation to this case, Dusan Maksimovic, Vladimir Tolic and Blagoje Spasojevic. They remain in detention since their arrest.

According to the indictment Blagoje Spasojevic is accused of two criminal acts “attack on constitutional order and security of Kosovo as well as for carrying out a terrorist act”. Dusan Maksimovic is accused of “preparing a terrorist act”, while Vladimir Tolic is accused of “carrying out a terrorist act”. Their trial started on October 9, last year and will continue on Monday.

Outgoing EU Ambassador says Serbia’s progress is common goal (N1, media)

Outgoing European Union Ambassador to Belgrade Emanuel Giaufret said Serbia’s progress towards the EU remains the common goal, N1 reported.

An EU Delegation press release quoted him as saying that Serbia needs to speed up crucial reforms, especially in terms of rule of law, freedom of the media and the fight against corruption.

Giaufret added principles of human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and respect for human rights are the essence of everything the EU advocates, adding that these are the values the citizens of Serbia aspire to. He said he saw those aspirations during his term as head of the EU Delegation to Serbia.

He also noted that the EU remains fully committed to staying with Serbia on its path towards EU membership.

PM denies repression against universities (N1)

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut denied any repression against universities but said that the government can’t allow their blockades.

He said that it’s high time for the protesting students to accept reality, talk and get things back to normal. “No one is doing any repression; all those statements are incorrect. The colleges are obliged to call in law enforcement to intervene if necessary. We can’t allow some universities to be taken over”, Macut told Serbian public broadcaster RTS.

The prime minister voiced hope that reason will prevail and that university professors will move things forward by personal example. He said some universities have proved to be weak by allowing their administration buildings to be blocked. “That situation exposes weaknesses which we have to improve”, he said.

EP initiates resolution on protests in Serbia (N1)

The European Parliament initiated a resolution on Serbia as a reaction to violence against protesters, N1 reported.

The resolution titled Wave of Violence and Continuous Use of Force Against Protesters in Serbia comes at the initiative of several political groups. It will be debated early in September. It is classified as Resolutions on topical subjects (RSP) which means that it is about urgent, democratic or security issues that demand a reaction from the European Parliament.

MEPs are expected to pass a political assessment of the situation in Serbia with a possible call for action or recommendations to European Union institutions and member states. A draft of the resolution has not been released yet.

The European Parliament has debated the situation in Serbia 3 times since the protests began following last year’s November 1 tragedy at the Novi Sad railway station which claimed 16 lives – in December, February and May.

Opinion

Al Jazeera Balkans’ closure adds to regional media’s woes (Balkan Insight)

By Anida Sokol

Highly professional outlet’s disappearance will lower the quality and standards of media throughout the region – but could stimulate a push for reform and change. The closure of Al Jazeera Balkans will have far-reaching consequences for the region’s media sector, first, because a large number of highly qualified media professionals are being left without work.

It is estimated that Al Jazeera Balkans employed around 250 people across the region. In addition to reporters, journalists and presenters, there were also numerous technicians, editors, producers and camera operators, while the outlet had its own columnists writing for the website.

A surge in unemployment is not beneficial for the job market, especially when other media companies have also reduced staff this year. N1 in Croatia let go of 26 employees a few months ago. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the end of USAID funding, several smaller, non-profit media outlets lost financial support, which led to workforce reductions. Jobs have been also lost among regional journalists and correspondents working for Voice of America, VoA, and Radio Free Europe, due to US President Donald Trump’s move to dismantle USAGM, the United States Agency for Global Media.