UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 20, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Haradinaj warns Kurti: Enough is enough (media)
Poll: VV with 37.3% support, PDK 20.6, LDK 16.8, AAK 4.6%, and Nisma 2.1 (media)
Kryeziu: Elections and polls show citizens want political consensus (Nacionale)
Murati to Abdixhiku: From a state-forming to a vote-photographing party (media)
Buzhala: Court will announce decision on secret vote within a week (Klan)
Kurti, Malaj discuss further cooperation between Kosovo and Albania (media)
Hoti: The energy crisis is ruining Kosovo’s economy (media)
Kosovo marks World Refugee Day (EO)
All investigations and arrest warrants for Radoicic in Kosovo (RFE)
AJK joins organizations in condemning campaign against Flutura Kusari (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Warrants and summons pressure on Serbs and a slap to face of international community (media)
Simic: I am going to hearing with head held high because we did not do anything illegal (Danas, Kosovo Online)
Twenty-six years since the murder of the four Simic brothers in Slivovo - justice still elusive (KiM radio, KoSSev)
Aleksandar Arsenijevic reacts to LVV published design of two bridges over Ibar River, one of which ends at foot of White Angel Monument dedicated to Serbian victims (social media)
Reaction of Serbian Democracy Leposavic representative to statement of Minister Rasic regarding houses in Lesak (social media)
Pantic Pilja: More and more countries which recognized Kosovo supporting Serbia (Kosovo Online)
MFA of Serbia on the World Day of Refugees and Displaced Persons: Expulsion and discrimination of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija continue today (Kosovo Online)

International:

Kosovo’s capital plans museum highlighting long struggle for peace (BIRN)
EU: Italy from Taormina relaunches enlargement and pushes for Balkans accession by 2030 (Agenzia Nova)
Kosovo launches 1 mln euro grant scheme for IT sector (SeeNews)
A series of events dedicated to free movement of people held the Western Balkan capitals (EWB)

Albanian Language Media

Haradinaj warns Kurti: Enough is enough (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj, in an interview with RTV21, blamed Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti and his approach to the political deadlock. “He should continue with this because it will not work out for him. I am seriously telling him (Kurti) and the candidate [for Assembly Speaker] (Haxhiu) that they should not keep doing this because it will not work out, you will suffer the consequences because we will not allow them to indefinitely play games with the country, enough is enough. You have gone too far, stop. Either sober up or you will be confronted. There were others too who thought they were untouchable … but these people have their rules, and they have changed the situation in the country many times, and we will change it this time too,” Haradinaj said.

Haradinaj did not rule out the possibility of symbolic actions against Kurti. “It is good if we start making life worse for this man. To prevent him from keeping Kosovo hostage … He shouldn’t even be allowed to go out on the street. We should throw back the eggs he threw, and the teargas he threw, and tell him you cannot keep the country hostage because this country is not an orphan. Either do your duties according to the Constitution, or don’t waste our time by calling us to the Assembly every other day. Either make way or we will act,” he said.

Poll: VV with 37.3% support, PDK 20.6, LDK 16.8, AAK 4.6%, and Nisma 2.1 (media)

TV Dukagjini published on Thursday a poll conducted by UBO Consulting where respondents were asked which party they would vote for in the event of early parliamentary elections. The Vetevendosje Movement came first with a ranking of 37 percent, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) was second with 20.6 percent, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) got 16.8 percent, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) got 4.6 percent, and NISMA with 2.1 percent.

Kryeziu: Elections and polls show citizens want political consensus (Nacionale)

Head of the Kosovo Democratic Institute, Ismet Kryeziu, argued in a Facebook post that the February 9 elections results and yesterday’s polls show that political consensus and co-governance are not a choice by the leaders, but an obligation that comes from the structure of the electoral system and the message of the people’s vote. “The latest polls and the results of February 9 show that the people of Kosovo are helping create a more representative political scene, preventing the domination of a single party and calling for consensus for co-governance. This approach of Kosovo’s voters is functioning as a reaction to an extreme polarization and as an opportunity to build sustainable institutions and a political culture that goes beyond the interests of parties and leaders,” Kryeziu argued.

Murati to Abdixhiku: From a state-forming to a vote-photographing party (media)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement and caretaker Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, reacted today to a statement made by Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku who said on Thursday that LDK MPs would show their “against” votes in front of cameras if the Constitutional Court rules in favor of a secret vote for the new Assembly Speaker. “What a degradation of the party that was once led by Ibrahim Rugova! From a state-forming party to a vote-photographing party,” Murati said in a Facebook post.

Buzhala: Court will announce decision on secret vote within a week (Klan)

Reporter Berat Buzhala said during a debate on Klan Kosova on Thursday evening that the Constitutional Court of Kosovo will announce a decision on the secret vote for the new Assembly Speaker within a week. “It will clearly address [the decision on a secret vote]. I can speak based on sources, and within a week the Constitutional Court will make a decision,” he said. “The Constitutional Court will give a broader response to the crisis”.

Kurti, Malaj discuss further cooperation between Kosovo and Albania (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti met today with the Albanian Ambassador to Kosovo, Petrit Malaj, and discussed furthering cooperation between Kosovo and Albania and the formation of new institutions in Kosovo. “They discussed furthering cooperation between the two countries in different areas, including the economy, infrastructure, security and other areas where agreements signed between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Government of the Republic of Albania are being implemented. Both expressed their commitment to advance bilateral relations, by working closely on shared projects that will bring direct benefits for the people. During the meeting they discussed the latest developments, including the process of constituting the Assembly and forming the institutions of the ninth legislative,” a press release issued by Kurti’s office notes.

Hoti: The energy crisis is ruining Kosovo’s economy (media)

MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and former Prime Minister, Abdullah Hoti, writes in a Facebook post today that the energy crisis is ruining Kosovo’s economy and that current and future investments will be negatively impacted by the lack of clarity in terms of energy supply. “No measure has been taken for years now. The blocks of Kosova A and Kosova B power plants keep falling as tenders for renovation and maintenance are delayed for years. The gas power plant foreseen by the Washington Agreement was cancelled in 2021. The funds foreseen for that objective were destined to the batteries project but were ultimately lost completely because of changes in the priorities of U.S. policy. It seems that joining the open energy market, without securing the preliminary conditions, will have devastating effects for many producers. This will have consequences for the employment of thousands of workers in particular, it will worsen the competing abilities of Kosovo’s producers on the local and foreign markets, by increasing Kosovo’s trade deficit even more,” Hoti writes.

Kosovo marks World Refugee Day (EO)

The Kosovo Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (KRCT) in cooperation with the UNHCR marked today the World Refugee Day with the motto “Solidarity with Refugees” calling for greater support for those that are forced to leave their homes due to conflicts and persecution.

KRCT Executive Director Feride Rushiti said today is an opportunity to reflect on the suffering but also the dignity of those that once lost everything. “Their homes, their birthplaces, their loved ones, in search of a more dignified and safe life. This day is not only a remembrance for the pain suffered by refugees and forcibly displaced people, but it is also a day to call for solidarity and action. An opportunity to rebuild a new life in Kosovo,” she said.

Rushiti brought back Kosovo’s experience with refugees in the years of war. “Today touches us deeply and brings back our memories as a nation. Almost half of our population experienced being a refugee. Thousands of Kosovars, in the dark years of our history, were forced to leave their homes in search of safety in neighboring countries and far. Our experience as refugees is not only a bitter memory but also part of our collective identity, an experience that makes us more sensitive and aware to react, act and offer proper services to all those that approach Kosovo as a safer place,” she said.

Kosovo Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj commented on the global dimension of the refugee crisis, saying that over 120 million people in the world don’t have even the most basic rights to live in their homes. “Many of us were faced with this situation too. Being a refugee is one of the most difficult experiences and it is not a choice but rather an imposed action and an urgent need to manage to save one’s life. Every living being must be treated with dignity,” he said.

Qelaj also said that this institution has received complaints from displaced people and has intervened in the protection of their rights. “We have challenges too and it is our duty to work even harder. Kosovo’s institutions have shown their readiness to offer every displaced person their rights. We have received complaints from displaced persons, we have addressed them and in every case, we have managed to come to the aid of refugees and their winning their rights,” he argued.

All investigations and arrest warrants for Radoicic in Kosovo (RFE)

Kosovo issued another arrest warrant, the fifth in a row, against Milan Radoicic – this time for setting up barricades in the four Serb-majority municipalities in the north in 2022. At the time, Radoicic was deputy leader of the Serbian List, and according to this party, he was present at the barricades in late 2022, although there was an active arrest warrant issued in February that year, for intimidating witnesses in the Brezovica case, which involved corruption and illegal constructions.

In December 2023, another arrest warrant was issued for Radoicic over the deadly attack in the village of Banjska in the north of Kosovo. Radoicic had claimed responsibility for the attack.

There is an ongoing trial for the attack in Banjska in Kosovo, but only for three arrested, as around 40 other defendants, including Radoicic, are at large. It is believed they are all in Serbia.

In April 2025, another arrest warrant was issued for Radoicic on suspicions for carrying out war crimes against civilians in the Gjakova region.

The first arrest warrant against him was issued in 2019, on the suspicion that he was involved in the assassination of Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic. The warrant, however, was withdrawn in March 2021 without any legal explanation.

The news website notes that Serbia does not act on international arrest warrants issued by Kosovo because it does not recognize its independence declared in 2008.

Ehat Miftaraj from the Kosovo Law Institute said in an interview with the news website that the state prosecutor in Kosovo is obliged to use all legal means, including issuing an international arrest warrant, to meet the legal obligations and procedures in the proceedings. He however notes that due to lack of cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia, it is almost impossible to arrest Radoicic. “Issuing an international arrest warrant for Radoicic at least limits his ability to travel outside Serbia or to countries that can arrest and extradite him to Kosovo,” he said.

Bozo Prelevic, an attorney from Serbia, told Radio Free Europe that the Kosovo prosecution has not been able to get to Radoicic even for criminal offences “that are much graver” and that “the setting up of barricades is not a big problem for him”. He added that for Serbia, the setting up of barricades in the north of Kosovo is not a criminal act but a protest.

Has Kosovo tried to arrest Radoicic?

Kosovo’s authorities tried on several occasions to arrest Radoicic but were unsuccessful.

In November 2018, the Kosovo Police tried to arrest him on suspicion of being involved in the assassination of Oliver Ivanovic, but he was not in his apartment. When the arrest warrant against him for this case was withdrawn in 2021, Radoicic moved freely in the north of Kosovo. On February 3, 2022, Radoicic was able to escape arrest related to witness intimidation in the Brezovica case, by fleeing from the border crossing in Bernjak in the north of Kosovo. Several months later, on July 5, 2022, Radoicic addressed the public through a video which he said was from the region around Leposavic in Kosovo. Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said at the time that Radoicic was not in Kosovo, that he had entered Kosovo illegally only to make the video and that then he fled Kosovo again.

Miftaraj says that the Kosovo Law Institute has constantly called on politicians from commenting on public issues that are under investigation or part of a court proceeding, in order to protect and respect the independence of judicial institutions.

AJK joins organizations in condemning campaign against Flutura Kusari (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK) said in a statement today that it joins international press freedom organizations from the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) platform, including the ECPMF and other leading media freedom advocates, in condemning the ongoing campaign of harassment by individual Mentor Llugaliu against media lawyer and human rights activist Flutura Kusari. “Ms. Kusari filed a criminal complaint in March of this year with the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina, citing a sustained online harassment and intimidation campaign carried out by Llugaliu, a public supporter of the ruling political party Vetëvendosje. This defamatory campaign, which has also targeted Ms. Kusari’s immediate family, appears to be a retaliatory response to her outspoken activism in the fields of media freedom and human rights. The Association of Journalists of Kosovo expresses its full and unwavering support for Ms. Kusari in her pursuit of justice. AJK calls on the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina, and its head Zenjullah Gashi, to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the case. The Kosovo Law Institute, which assisted Ms. Kusari in preparing the criminal complaint, has noted that “based on precedent in similar criminal harassment cases, this is among the most serious and extensive examples of online harassment against a female activist in Kosovo”. This case presents an opportunity for the Basic Prosecutor’s Office to set a clear precedent: that harassment and intimidation of women in Kosovo—especially for their professional work—will not be tolerated,” the statement notes.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic: Warrants and summons pressure on Serbs and a slap to face of international community (media)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said today decision of Pristina authorities to issue arrest warrants for 11 Serbs, and summon Serian List officials over peaceful and nonviolent protests in the north of Kosovo in 2022 represents “new pressure against Serbian people by Albin Kurti, but also a glove thrown to the face of international community which guaranteed to the Serbs they will not be the victims of retaliation because of their legitimate pursuit for their rights”.

“When the Serbs withdrew from the peaceful barricades in December 2022, they did so solely on the basis of written guarantees they received from the European Union and the United States State Department, which have been repeatedly violated to date by unilateral and unlawful actions of Pristina and arbitrary arrests of Serbs”, Petkovic said.

He underlined in the statement that guarantees clearly state there are no lists for arrest or criminal prosecution of Serbian citizens from Kosovo for participating in peaceful protests/barricades.

Petkovic also said Office for KiM will inform the mediator in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Peter Sorensen, about the new wave of persecution of Serbs, which is reflected in the issuance of arrest warrants and summonses for questioning for dozens of Serbs, and seek an answer to the question of whether the written guarantees of the EU have no importance and weight and why the arrest warrants, arrests and persecution of Serbs are being silently observed?

“The announced arrest warrants and interrogations of the leaders of the Serbian List are not based on law or facts, but rather mark the beginning of Albin Kurti’s election campaign for local elections in Kosovo and Metohija and are part of a broader plan to try to ban the Serbian List and intimidate all honourable Serbs who do not agree to Kurti’s blackmail or terror”, Petkovic said.

He added that for years Kurti has been filing secret indictments against the most prominent Serbs, and recently he has also started directly expelling Serbian police officers living in the territory of Kosovo. As he said, the common denominator in each of these cases is that Pristina is carrying out actions unilaterally, violating the fundamental rights of Serbian people and with the loud silence of the international community.

Simic: I am going to hearing with head held high because we did not do anything illegal (Danas, Kosovo Online)

Ahead of the hearing at Kosovo Special Prosecutor's Office as a defendant for, as it is stated, an attack on Kosovo constitutional order and other criminal acts related to the protests in December 2022, Igor Simic, Serbian List Presidency membre, said he is going there with his head held high because he knows that his place and, and the place of other members of the SL, as political representatives is with their people, then and now.

Simic repeated that he and the SL were always for peace and called on citizens for peace and restraint as well as always did everything in their power as a political party to preserve peace in Kosovo, reported Danas.

"We enter into this process and make this statement not because I believe that the process is fair or that it is based on any evidence of any guilt of any of the forty or so Serbs who have been questioned, but because we know that we are innocent, we know that we have not done anything illegal and we know that as political representatives our place was with our people then and today, and will be tomorrow. Political representatives of Serbs do not have that possibility as political representatives of Albanians to refuse the prosecutor's calls because we are threatened with detention and arrest, and everything else that they did in the previous period to dozens of Serbs", Simic said.

He emphasized he is going to the hearing with his head held high because he knows that they did not do anything illegal and that they were with their people.

"This is another proof of the way in which the international community understands its obligations towards the Serbian people. In 1999, they proclaimed the multi-ethnic character of Kosovo and Metohija. To this day, this is not respected, and the number of Serbs is decreasing every day. In 2013, they promised us the Community of Serbian Municipalities, but to this day it has not happened. All that was stipulated by international agreements supported by the EU and the United Nations have not been embodied in practice, especially when it comes to protecting the interests of the Serbs and improving the position of the Serbian people in these areas," concluded Simic.

Twenty-six years since the murder of the four Simic brothers in Slivovo - justice still elusive (KiM radio, KoSSev)

In the village of Slivovo, in the municipality of Novo Brdo, it has been 26 years since the murder of four members of the Simic family - the brothers Trajan (1929), Zivko (1936) and Dimitrije (1932) and their uncle, Zivko (1929). They were killed in their homes, and their bodies were later found in the forest not far from the houses, in responsibility of the British KFOR contingent at the time. The perpetrators were never discovered, KiM radio reported.

In the presence of several friends and members of the Simic family, a memorial service was held at the place where their bodies were found.

The son of the late Trajan, Zivorad Simic pointed out that no proceedings were ever initiated before the Kosovo authorities for this crime.

"As for the Kosovo police, I received information that since there is no request, they cannot initiate any proceedings because they have no evidence. I showed them the photos I have on the flash drive, isn't this evidence? Can I go to an Albanian house or village and ask who killed my father or uncle, I can't," added Simic.

Assistant Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Igor Popovic pointed out that the crime against the Simic brothers is not only a tragedy for one family, but also a warning for all institutions, especially international missions that were present in Kosovo.

"Our brothers suffered only because they did not want to leave their ancestral lands where their families had lived for centuries'', he said adding that ''they stayed because they had the guarantees of the British KFOR that nothing would happen to them, as well as the guarantees of their Albanian neighbors," said Popovic.

He also added that the Office for KiM as an institution made a mistake about the Simic family because their suffering was not commemorated with enough dignity in previous years.

"Their sacrifice is no less than that of the victims from Stari Racak, the Nis express bus in Livadice near Podujevo and the murder of children in Gorazdevac in 2003," concluded Popovic.

KiM radio recalls that today in the village of Slivovo in the municipality of Novo Brdo, where more than 100 Serbian families once lived, only 18 residents of Serbian nationality remain.

Aleksandar Arsenijevic reacts to LVV published design of two bridges over Ibar River, one of which ends at foot of White Angel Monument dedicated to Serbian victims (social media)

Serbian Democracy leader Aleksandar Arsenijevic, in a post on his Facebook account, reacted to photos published by Self-determination Movement (LVV) on its social account reportedly depicting design of the two new bridges planned to be built over the Ibar River in Mitrovica, each by the sides of already existing main Ibar River bridge. According to posted photos one of the two bridges is supposed to end at the foot of White Angel Monument erected on the northern side commemorating Serbian victims from the last conflict and March 2004 pogrom, while the other one will end at the skating platforms used by children and youths.

“In addition to the fact that the ethno-nationalist authorities failed to remove KFOR from the main bridge and thus present the clear dominance of the Albanian majority over the Serbian minority in the north, they decided on another desperate move. This way, in addition to their exhibitions, they also want to deface traces of our existence by demolishing White Angel Monument in North Mitrovica, under the pretext of building a new bridge”, Arsenijevic wrote in a post.

“This monument does not represent an obstacle to traffic, but is the guardian of the collective memory of the Serbian people in Kosovo. In that place, we gather to remember the victims, to convey the truth about the March pogrom and to bear witness to what it means to remain dignified on one's land.

We demand urgent reaction from KFOR, international organizations and embassies, as well as their unequivocal determination to protect the monument and prevent further attempts to erase the traces of the Serbian presence in Kosovo. Silence in this case would be complicity”, Arsenijevic underlined.

Reaction of Serbian Democracy Leposavic representative to statement of Minister Rasic regarding houses in Lesak (social media)

Vladimir Radosavljevic, Serbian Democracy representative for Leposavic reacted in a post on social media to the statements of Kosovo outgoing Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic related to the houses of 17 Serbian families whose demolishment by end of June was ordered by current Leposavic municipal authority as per request of Kosovo Interior Ministry. Rasic said he agreed with Albanian mayor of Leposavic Lulzim Hetemi there will be no forceful expulsions of house residents, adding a solution that would harm no party is being sought.

“After enormous pressure from the public, Serbian Democracy and international representatives, Lulzim Hetemi (yes, the same one who signed the notice on eviction and demolition) and Minister Nenad Rašić (didn’t the other guy say he was a minister when he came?) are now promising that supposedly “there will be no forced eviction” of Serbian families in Lešak.

But let’s not forget:

Families are still living in uncertainty;
There is no court process, no right to appeal;
Legalization has not been resolved even after 15 years;
Demolition notices have not been withdrawn.

All of this seems like part of a cheap election campaign. First, they threatened people with children that their houses would be demolished, and they would be thrown out onto the street, and now they are trying to play the hero, putting out a fire they themselves started - and still they left it smouldering.

This is not the end, but only a postponement of injustice! We continue to monitor the situation. And we will not remain silent! #YouAreNoLongerAlone, Serbian Democracy”, Radosavljevic wrote in a post.

Pantic Pilja: More and more countries which recognized Kosovo supporting Serbia (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Delegation to the Council of Europe, Biljana Pantic Pilja said Serbia has a clear policy and goals regarding Kosovo, adding an increasing number of countries that have recognized Kosovo are now supporting Belgrade in upholding international law.

"Our goal is clear - to show how the Serbian people live in Kosovo and Metohija, to preserve our territorial integrity and sovereignty, and to uphold international law. These are our strengths, and we try to explain to everyone that every country should respect international law. That is how we approach negotiations and discussions", Pantic Pilja told Kosovo Online.

She emphasized that despite Pristina’s strong allies, Belgrade also has its own partners with whom it holds daily discussions. "We have many friends and many countries that did recognize Kosovo, but they see that we are right and provide us with the support they can in such negotiations and talks", Pantic Pilja noted.

She said that certain countries support Kosovo out of "their own interests," but that Serbia is working to prevent that. "And real efforts are being made. We have good diplomatic contacts, and we have demonstrated that even now. Look at how long the process of Kosovo and Metohija joining the Council of Europe has been going on. It has been stalled. That is part of the diplomatic struggle", she said.