UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 5, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

“Outgoing government is functional until election of new government” (media)
Orav meets Basha, discuss need to respect constitutional processes (media)
Kosovo Police celebrate 26th anniversary of formation (media)
Was Kosovo’s security threatened by a couple suspected of espionage? (RFE)
Ibishi: Graffiti in north threatening Kurti, part of hybrid war before elections (EO)
Rama addresses court: Ministry is blocking Pristina’s budget (media)
Messages on the 9th anniversary of canonization of Mother Teresa (media)

Serbian Language Media:

NGO Aktiv announces a criminal complaint due to the broadcast on Klan Kosova in which they are portrayed as "spies" (KoSSev, Alternativna)
NGO Aktiv reaction: A direct threat to the security of civil society actors in Kosovo (KoSSev, KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
CSOs sent a letter to O'Flaherty: Serious and systematic violation of the rights of the Serbian community (FB, Kosovo Online, Alternativna)
Hargreaves: Kosovo must be a place where all communities want to live (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac, KoSSev)
Belgrade University rector, deans demand end to media harassment, and investigation into police brutality (N1, FoNet)
Group of NGOs blasts authorities for laying off teachers over their political views (Beta, media)

Opinion:

The crisis of Constitutional understanding (KoSSev)
Listen to the People: Rethinking Kosovo-Serbia ‘Normalisation’ (Balkan Insight)
"Kosovo authorities' war against graffiti, t-shirts and flags: When the law is maliciously interpreted" (Alternativna)

International:

Man to cycle to Kosovo for charity after dad's death (BBC)
Report raises fears for Serbia’s last dissenting media voices (BIRN)
Albanian-language film’s disruption in Montenegro alarms EU (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

“Outgoing government is functional until election of new government” (media)

Spokesperson for Kosovo’s caretaker government, Perparim Kryeziu, said in an interview with RTV21 today that according to Article 30 of the Law on Government, the current government, although outgoing, continues to execute its responsibilities until the election of a new government by the assembly. His remarks come after several MPs from the Vetevendosje Movement continue to keep their government posts even after Assembly Speaker Dimal Basha said that the new assembly has been constituted.

“The Assembly has been constituted, but there is still no new government from this assembly, namely from the ninth legislative. Article 30 of the Law on Government is clear that the outgoing government continues to execute its responsibilities in line with the limitations set out by the law, until the election of a new Government by the Assembly. As far as [Albulena] Haxhiu and [Emilija] Rexhepi are concerned, they have been released from the government because they were elected by the assembly as deputy speakers and they have new duties and responsibilities,” Kryeziu said.

Orav meets Basha, discuss need to respect constitutional processes (media)

EU Head of Office Aivo Orav said in a post on X that he met the newly elected Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly Dimal Basha on Thursday. “We discussed the need to respect constitutional processes, ensuring inclusive, multi-ethnic institutions. The EU is here to support Kosovo in the formation of the government and assembly committees is key to progressing with the Growth Plan. We look forward to these developments and the Growth Plan yielding concrete socio-economic benefits for the people of Kosovo through additional financial assistance, economic integration and accelerated reforms,” Orav said.

Kosovo Police celebrate 26th anniversary of formation (media)

The Kosovo Police marked its 26th anniversary today with a series of activities held in Zahir Pajaziti square in Pristina and senior officials and pupils from elementary schools were in attendance. Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said the police force is committed to serving the people, especially the children, and that it is a trusted partner for the new generations. “There is no better way to celebrate our birthday than with children, the birthday of the institution that has become mature, and this maturity is in the service of the people and especially our children. Our path will go through challenges; some of you will become police officers, teachers, doctors, and work in different fields, and you will have a trusted partner on this path, and that is the Kosovo Police, whose obligation is not only to respond at any moment but also to do with the greatest love,” Svecla said.

Kosovo Police General Director Gazmend Hoxha said that the police force remains the must trusted institution in Kosovo, and he recalled 26 heroes that fell while defending the security and integrity of Kosovo. He encouraged the youths to learn about the police force and to always see it as an open door. “We gave 26 heroes in the fight against crime and to protect the territorial integrity of the Republic. The police force is a trusted institution, and our police officers have served the country for 26 years. We continue to work and to push this commitment even further, to continue our professional development. My message for the children: keep learning, and the doors of police will always be open for you,” Hoxha said.

Was Kosovo’s security threatened by a couple suspected of espionage? (RFE)

A Croatian army officer and his Serbian partner were recently arrested in Croatia under accusations of spying for Serbia. Commentators in Kosovo, where the couple is believed to have carried out this activity, say that this points out Belgrade’s efforts to infiltrate Pristina’s and NATO sensitive structures. Was Kosovo’s national security under threat?

Croatian media, Slobodna Dalmacija, reported that investigators, based on a court order, controlled their mobile devices and communications, and found compromising messages that led them to suspect international espionage. Both persons were sent to detention, but the whole investigation remains secret, so that as Croatian authorities said the process is not damaged.

Kosovo’s Ministry of Interior Affairs did not respond to questions from Radio Free Europe about the possible implication of the process in Kosovo’s security.

Jeta Loshaj, a researcher with the Kosovo Center for Security Studies, the suspected case, which she believes to be serious, did not pose a direct threat to security, because she argues that there is no information that “critical information about Kosovo or the Kosovo Security Force were compromised”. “But on a wider plan, Kosovo’s national security is threatened by the fact that Serbian services, in cooperation with Russian services, are constantly trying to infiltrate sensitive structures, and to test the resistance of security systems,” she said in an interview with the news website.

Burim Ramadani, a security expert, said that cases of espionage from hostile countries are complicated and can threaten national security. The latest case “is proof that Kosovo is constantly faced with a harsh and aggressive war from Serbian, Russian and other hostile intelligence services”. He said that cases of espionage can take years to solve.

Ramadani and Loshaj said the latest case is part of Serbia’s broader efforts to infiltrate Kosovo’s security systems and that it also shows Belgrade’s hostile approach towards NATO, where Serbia is not a member but part of the Partnership for Peace Program. “In the aspect of regional and international security, this is one of the cases that proves that Serbia, a hostile country, not only fails to cooperate but also has hostile ambitions towards other countries and tries to use the assets and instruments of NATO member states, and this is an open war of espionage which Serbia wages against NATO and not only Kosovo,” Ramadani said.

Loshaj expressed concern that the information collected in the latest case, such as for Kosovo’s cooperation with NATO and also about the troops of the alliance, could have been transferred to Russia “which means that this situation could be related to the geopolitical rivalries we are seeing now”. She also said that this should be an alarm that security systems are not only limited to a bilateral level but have wider dimensions too. “This is part of Serbia’s broader efforts to test the resistance of NATO and to identify potential weaknesses in the Euro-Atlantic security architecture,” she added.

Ibishi: Graffiti in north threatening Kurti, part of hybrid war before elections (EO)

The news website reports that graffiti in Serbian appeared in Mitrovica North on Tuesday night making death threats against Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Nuredin Ibishi, a security expert, said that this is a direct threat against Kurti and part of a hybrid war that intensified on the eve of local elections. He said that the security institutions should address the case with seriousness and increase cooperation with international partners to prevent such incidents.

“On the eve of elections, there is a system of hybrid war, and this is a threat because it involves the life of the caretaker Prime Minister and MP. It should be treated seriously because on the eve of local elections, especially in the north, there are constant graffitis and other messages with threatening elements, and they also constitute criminal offences. It should be treated seriously. The Kosovo Police have managed to apprehend one of the suspects and I think that in addition to covering the terrain, the police should also take measures in terms of technical security systems. This will continue to happen knowing the continuous tendencies of the Serbian regime, especially now when the institutions – the Assembly and the Government – have not been formed yet,” he argued.

Rama addresses court: Ministry is blocking Pristina’s budget (media)

Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama together with deputy mayor Shkemb Manaj filed with the Constitutional Court a request for an indictment against the Ministry of Finance over the budget of Pristina. After filing the request, Rama accused the ministry and caretaker Finance Minister Hekuran Murati of a political blockade against the capital. “This government has only caused blockades over purely political matters. This minister blocked the process when he saw that the capital was being transformed. They saw development and as a result they took illegal measures. Those are our funds and the funds of taxpayers of the capital. We have also prepared charges against ministers too,” Rama said.

Rama argued that €35 million belonged to the capital and that they were being blocked by the ministry. “Funds that according to law belong to the capital have been blocked for nine months now. This government has made different blockades … this minister has obstructed the process because of political issues,” he said.

Messages on the 9th anniversary of canonization of Mother Teresa (media)

Most news websites cover a Facebook post by the US Embassy in Tirana, Albania, which quotes US President Donald Trump on the 9th anniversary of the canonization of Mother Teresa. “Mother Theresa gave food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, education to the needy. She represented the best in each of us,” Trump said.

Media also report that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on the occasion that Mother Teresa “gave voice to the poor, the sick and the forgotten, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy of charity and humanity”. “Her journey inspired millions. St. Teresa's works remind us of the power of charity and humanity, so her legacy is a call to each of us: to be there for others, to give love and hope, and to build a more just and peaceful world,” Osmani said in a Facebook post.

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Memli Krasniqi said Mother Teresa “should remain an inspiration for young people that dream to make changes, for mothers that sacrifice every day for their children, for teachers and doctors that give their all, for the elderly that teach us wisdom, and for every person who believes that love and service for others are the biggest force in life”.

Serbian Language Media

NGO Aktiv announces a criminal complaint due to the broadcast on Klan Kosova in which they are portrayed as "spies" (KoSSev)

KoSSev portal reported today that the non-governmental organization "Aktiv", citing their announcement, will file a criminal complaint against Klan Kosova and their journalist Kushtrim Bekolli, due to, as they say, a series of falsehoods and slanders that he stated in the show "Ora Shtatë" shown yesterday on this television.

Five non-governmental organizations from the North of Kosovo - New Social Initiative, Center for Affirmative Social Actions (CASA), Institute for Territorial Economic Development (InTER), Center for the Advocacy of Democratic Culture (ACDC) and Aktiv in December last year published a study entitled "Ethnization of the Kosovo Police: Demolishing Ahtisaari's foundations of civil and multi-ethnic institutions" in which they point to, as they stated, the promotion of nationalism by monitored members of the Kosovo Police.

The report includes an extensive database of as many as 140 photos, collected from various social networks, which, as they claim, show over 300 police officers.

In the photos, the alleged police officers point out national Albanian symbols, by pointing out the emblem of the Albanian flag, the emblem of "Greater Albania", the emblem with the image of Adem Jashari, the KLA, they cross their hands as a symbol of the Albanian eagle, they are photographed on police cars, jeeps, armored vehicles, highlighting these same symbols.

There are, among other things, photos showing the Albanian flag flying from a police car.

The report also points to posts in which, along with the depiction of these policemen, which are done by network users themselves who massively share such content, various musical backgrounds are used, mainly nationalist songs, often offensive to Serbs, but also in which they call for killing and burning.

"Combining them with visual material whose actors are members of the Kosovo Police, such music clearly spreads the idea of ethnic dominance over the region, framing the presence of the police as part of the ongoing national struggle of Albanians for territory", according to NGOs from the North.

They also mention the gross violation, as they stated, of at least 13 articles of the Administrative Instruction that deals with the regulation of the behavior of the Kosovo Police.

These are points related to tolerating unprofessional behavior, wearing symbols that represent elements of belonging to a religious or ethnic group, unauthorized changing of symbols on police equipment or in the workplace, inappropriate appearance at the workplace, appearing on social networks in uniform, in a manner that violates ethics and rules, publishing and distributing comments, photos or videos that harm the image of the police.

The expansion of this trend, as stated in the study, began in the last three years.

Civil society, therefore, especially notes that the key international missions in Kosovo in the mentioned period - did not react.

The report, when it was published, was publicly distributed to all media in Kosovo through a press release.

You can find the entire report at: https://tinyurl.com/j5p3tdvn

And just a few days after this report, the Kosovo Police decided to regulate the issue of the use of social networks by its members, through a new rulebook. EULEX and OSCE then welcomed it and offered professional help.

The authors of this report, NGOs from the North, then welcomed the decision, adding that they are also ready to provide assistance in creating a regulatory framework that will prevent, as they stated at the time, the practices indicated in this report, but, on the other hand, they emphasized that there is already a legal framework in Kosovo that regulates this very issue.

A Klan Kosova journalist presented the report as classified material and linked it to espionage activities

However, this report was presented as an exclusive yesterday, in the show on Klan Kosova, as stated by this very media.

Journalist Bekolli dealt with the details of this report, and as Klan Kosova first wrote, "he exclusively received the materials of this organization, which show the alleged connection of that non-governmental organization with the Serbian spy A.M., who was arrested in Croatia in August together with her boyfriend, on suspicion of having committed the crime of espionage."

KoSSev recalled that this NGO was targeted by the Kosovan media for the second time this week. First time it was targeted precisely in connection with the espionage affair that Bekolli also spoke about yesterday. The NGO Aktiv also then issued a denial available at:https://tinyurl.com/ymr33syn

The same journalist said in this show that it was an organization that operates in Kosovo, as he claimed, with two addresses: "One in North Mitrovica and the other in Pristina." At the same time, he said that they were financed by the Kosovo government.

And then he talked about the report, which, as he introduced it, included "detailed work of the police and monitoring of their activities on social networks."

He showed parts of the report on a large video screen.

"The photos they used contain Albanian symbols, as well as patriotic songs, which were used by members of the Kosovo Police. According to this organization, these songs are ultra-nationalist and call for the extermination of Serbia," said the journalist, reported Klan Kosova, KoSSev cited.

One of the guests in this show, Adnan Sogojeva, said that he believed that "the main goal of this organization is an attack on the police and the state of Kosovo", and that their report undermined the "national security of the country".

Journalist Bekolli went on to detail the report, concluding that "NGO Aktiv could be a huge spy network."

"This organization is made extremely difficult by the symbol that all Albanians make. That is, the double-headed eagle," he said, according to KoSSev.

In this sense, this organization included in its report photos of officers of the KP Special Unit, while the symbol is made of a double-headed eagle.

Bekolli also said, reported Klan, that the goal of this organization was "to denigrate the Kosovo police and soldiers, and even the Kosovo Liberation Army", wrote KoSSev portal today.

Although only the NGO Aktiv was emphasized in the Klan Kosova text, all five organizations, the authors of the report, were repeatedly discussed during the show.

NGO Aktiv reaction: A direct threat to the security of civil society actors in Kosovo (KoSSev, KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)

Last night, the NGO Aktiv strongly condemned and categorically rejected, as they pointed out, the inaccurate, malicious and irresponsible statements made in the show "Ora Shtatë" of Klan Kosova television on September 4, 2025.

They said that during the show, journalist Kushtrim Bekolli made a series of unfounded accusations against their organization, which he described as "exclusive information".

This NGO said that the research paper "Ethnic(z)ization of the Kosovo Police: Demolishing Ahtisaari's Foundations of Civil and Multi-Ethnic Institutions", is a public document jointly published by five civil society organizations.

"This study was publicly presented in December 2024, accompanied by photographic and video evidence, documentary research and analysis of publicly available materials, including the Constitution of Kosovo, the Police Law and disciplinary regulations. The report was publicly shared with all media in Kosovo through a press release. Any claim of exclusivity is, therefore, false. What the Klan Kosovo has presented is a distortion, misuse of our work and deliberate misinformation."

Instead of reporting on research based on evidence and publicly available sources, the NGO Aktiv said that Bekolli their work "falsely presented as an attack on the police and the state of Kosovo".

Read the full NGO Aktiv announcement at: https://tinyurl.com/mssxtkw9

CSOs sent a letter to O'Flaherty: Serious and systematic violation of the rights of the Serbian community (FB, Kosovo Online)

A civil society organization from Kosovo sent a letter to the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Michael O'Flaherty, inviting him to visit Kosovo and learn about the "serious and systematic violation of the rights" of non-majority communities, especially the Serbian community.

In the letter, the organization pointed to multiple violations of the rights guaranteed by the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, including banning and punishing the use of national symbols; arrests for public expression of political views; hindering participation in political processes; manipulation of voter lists; systematic denial of the right to use the language.

"Numerous findings of relevant institutions and organizations point to serious violations of the rights, well-being and dignity of the Serbian community in Kosovo and underline the pattern of systemic non-compliance with the standards of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. We especially emphasized that under the pretext of the rule of law, a policy of discrimination and marginalization of the Serbian community is being pursued, which endangers the daily life of citizens, encourages emigration and calls into question the survival of multi-ethnic Kosovo. In the last two years, institutions in Kosovo have systematically tried to suppress the right of the Kosovo Serb community to highlight its national symbols, including the flag and other symbols, which is contrary to Article 5 - The right to preserve and display cultural and national symbols of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities," they emphasized among other things.

Read the full text of the letter at: https://tinyurl.com/3f9unstn

Hargreaves: Kosovo must be a place where all communities want to live (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac, KoSSev)

"Kosovo must be a place where all communities want to stay, where they feel welcome, where they see the future and where the next generations also want to live. I am convinced that it is possible and that there are many people who want to achieve it. We are partners in that process, we have been partners from the very beginning of the construction of a multi-ethnic state and we will remain so," said the ambassador of Great Britain in Pristina, Jonathan Hargreaves, during his visit to Orahovac.

In an interview with Radio Goraždevac, Hargreaves emphasized the importance of coexistence and mutual understanding between communities in Kosovo.

"Great Britain has always supported Kosovo as a multi-ethnic country where all communities can live, thrive and want to stay. And I will continue to work on this with all the communities I meet," he said.

He added that during his first visit to Orahovac, he was particularly impressed by the people's commitment to mutual communication and community preservation.

"It's always touching and inspiring to me to see how hardworking people are and capable of communicating with each other, and for me to feel the history and deep connection people have with this place."

The ambassador visited the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Orahovac and spoke with the clergy and the local community.

"I was fascinated that there is still a small but vibrant and very communicative Serbian community here. I know the history has been difficult, but I am impressed that the community continues to live and work with its neighbors," said Hargreaves.

Speaking about the conversation with the mayor, Hargreaves emphasized the importance of agriculture and environmental care.

"I was particularly struck by his concern for the preservation of water resources and land, which is essential for the life of people in Kosovo," he said.

Finally, he emphasized that the international community has an important role in preserving coexistence.

"We are working with the authorities in Kosovo and Serbia to make dialogue as productive as possible, but also within Kosovo - between communities and institutions. This is the key to making Kosovo a place where everyone wants to live," he concluded.

Belgrade University rector, deans demand end to media harassment, and investigation into police brutality (N1, FoNet)

University of Belgrade Rector Vladan Djokic, Faculty of Political Sciences dean Maja Kovacevic and Faculty of Physics Dean Voja Radovanovic, called for an end to what they describe as a media lynching of the university community, and urged for the return of peace, tolerance, and dignity to lecture halls and daily life.

In a message posted on the Instagram account of students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in blockade, Djokic, Kovacevic, and Radovanovic highlighted months of unprecedented attacks targeting students and professors.

The professors said that students have been subjected to harassment, assaults, and baseless arrests, and emphasized that the university’s autonomy was brutally violated by the gendarmerie’s intrusion and the use of tear gas inside faculty buildings.

“We demand an end to the media lynching. We demand an end to the violence. We demand that all instances of police brutality be investigated and that those responsible be punished. We demand the return of peace, tolerance, and dignity to our lecture halls and our lives,” the message said.

Group of NGOs blasts authorities for laying off teachers over their political views (Beta, media)

A group of non-governmental organizations criticized on Sept. 5 the recent wave of layoffs of education workers as a result of their having taken a positive stance on student and civil protests, and said that the labor and social rights of employees in Serbia needed to be protected more strongly.

The organizations said in a statement that such practice was not just a work and legal problem, rather it could constitute the criminal offense of violation of equality, if contracts really had not been extended due to an employee's different beliefs.

"Keeping in mind that there is indication that contracts have not been extended not because there is no more need for staff of the same profile, but rather because of an employee's personal opinion, a discrimination lawsuit can be filed, if the reason is political affiliation, union engagement or personal views, a report can be filed with the Labor Inspectorate and the education inspectorate, or a complaint to the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality," adds the release.

The statement was jointly issued by the Center for the Politics of Emancipation, A11 - Initiative for Economic and Social Rights, the Center for Dignified Work, and ROZA - Association for Women's Labor Rights.

Opinion

The crisis of Constitutional understanding (KoSSev)

By Ilir Deda

“Dear Saša,

Since our last correspondence, unfortunately, I don’t see many changes in our countries. Kosovo has still not constituted the Assembly that resulted from the February 9 elections this year. It is unbelievable how much time has been wasted on the immature and irresponsible games of the relative winners of those elections. Beyond 2025, Kosovo has already lost 2026 and 2027 as well—particularly when it comes to reforms and financial support from the Growth Plan. Out of the €880 million allocated for Kosovo, a large share now seems destined to be redirected to other Western Balkan countries. Even if we were to constitute the Assembly tomorrow, ratify agreements with the EU immediately, and get a functioning government the day after that to implement the reforms tied to the Growth Plan—we would still not be in a position to meet our obligations, namely the reforms, and we would lose the financial support.

No one in the political establishment cares about this.

That establishment is consumed by hatred. Hatred toward the West, hatred toward all dissenting voices—undermining the entire legal framework and painstakingly established practices, trampling on the very foundation of Kosovo’s statehood, which is conditioned on multiethnicity. On a party level, Vetëvendosje and Srpska Lista feed off each other ahead of the October 12 local elections. For Kurti’s followers, any note of dissent from their shallow politics is immediately branded as collaboration with Belgrade and Srpska Lista. In a serious state—or in Bolshevik systems—the list of “domestic traitors” marked for elimination would be a very long one. As for Serbia, I know that a toxic public discourse has been its reality for nearly four decades. We have now joined that same sludge of public and political life—caught between “traitors” and “patriots.”

Tragic.

The shallow discourse of hatred, especially interethnic hatred, is successfully countered by independent media and civil society.

What is missing, however, is a decisive break with populism from the once-opposition parties.

Political and social polarization in Kosovo only makes sense if it produces two clearly defined visions for the future. One of them already exists.

The battle for the future has begun—sadly, so far, without a clear vision. The key question is whether the current (former) opposition in Kosovo is truly ready to change the existing rules of the game. First, the political divides of past decades should be closed, by moving toward an alliance between the center and the Europhile right. This would put an end to the old divide—now utterly irrelevant—between the former supporters of the Democratic League and the Democratic Party. Today’s LDK and PDK are, more or less, reformed parties, struggling to shape themselves along Western lines—LDK being a member of the EPP, while PDK belongs to ALDE. These two parties should become the pillars of a political alliance that must be boldly fused with a transformative vision and program for Kosovo’s future, offering clear answers to all the challenges the country and society face. This alliance doesn’t have to be an electoral coalition, but rather an agreement on sharing responsibility.

I will return to these topics in the next five exchanges we have, because I believe this step is both overdue and absolutely necessary.

The future is also being awaited by the Serbs in Kosovo, especially those in the northern municipalities who, for the past two years, have been paying a heavy price for the politics of institutional boycotts, for the chauvinism of Kurti’s government, and for the immense pressure from the Serbian government. It is illusory to expect political pluralism—most Serbs will likely vote en masse for Srpska Lista, even though they don’t trust it, thereby continuing the vicious cycle.

What remains for all of us is to accept, understand, and respect that Kosovo can only succeed as a country of free and equal citizens—people who can openly express their identity, ethnic and religious, without fear of which flag they carry or which shirt they wear. That is the constitutional Kosovo.

Warm regards,

Ilir”

Listen to the People: Rethinking Kosovo-Serbia ‘Normalisation’ (Balkan Insight)

By Adelina Hasani and Katarina Tadic

If the EU-mediated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is to achieve anything, it will need legitimacy rooted in citizen engagement.

The process of normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia has been stalled for years, deeply affecting the relationship at the community level.

More than a quarter of a century since the Kosovo war and 17 years since the former southern Serbian province declared independence, mutual distrust between the parties, along with occasional escalations on the ground, has created unfavourable conditions for the continuation of political dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. This hinders regional cooperation and raises significant barriers to regional stability and progress.

If the European Union-mediated dialogue continues to exclude those affected, it will remain fragile and prone to failure. Sustainable peace requires more than agreements signed by elites – it demands legitimacy rooted in citizen engagement.

That is the central lesson from two deliberative sessions this year modelled on ‘citizen assemblies’ in Pristina and Belgrade, supported by the Open Society Foundations for the Western Balkans.

These sessions were designed to do what official talks have failed to: give ordinary people a seat at the table.

After listening to experts explaining the dialogue’s complexities, a dozen participants in both cities debated possible solutions among themselves, in a format chosen to encourage informed discussion rather than surface-level reactions.

One thing became clear: people are not inherently opposed to compromise – they are opposed to being excluded.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4fy6d2vm

"Kosovo authorities' war against graffiti, t-shirts and flags: When the law is maliciously interpreted" (Alternativna)

In the past few days alone, several cases were recorded in the north of Kosovo in which the Kosovo police detained or sanctioned citizens for symbols on T-shirts, writing graffiti or possessing the flag of a singing group, reported Alternativna portal yesterday. For the police, these are messages that are shameful and offensive or cause discord and intolerance.

The interlocutor of Alternativna and Zubin Potok INFO, lawyer Dragutin Nenezic, said that, although there is a legal framework according to which the Kosovo authorities can act in these cases, they still act beyond their powers and with a malicious interpretation of the regulations.

At the beginning of September, the Kosovo police took away the flag of the Association of Women of Central Kosovo and the singing group "Kosovka" from Batuse near Kosovo Polje, at the Brnjak crossing. The policeman then tore up the flag and threw it in the trash can. This is also shown by the footage obtained by Zubin Potok INFO.

The case of confiscation of the flag in Brnjak was not an isolated one.

During a search of a store in Leposavic on September 2, the Kosovo police confiscated T-shirts with the words: "Kosovo is Serbia", "No surrender", "Terrorism is a disease, call a doctor (JSO)", and the image of Russian President Vladimir Putin was also found on the items of clothing.

On the first day of school, in the northern part of Mitrovica, the Kosovo police detained two boys from Zubina Potok, aged 15 and 16. The reason was that the police found them in the bus wearing T-shirts that read "Chetniks north" and "You fight, the north will burn", which are Red Star fans' motives. After questioning, they were sentenced for "displaying shameful or offensive content."

An underage girl was also detained in Socanica earlier for writing graffiti, and the Kosovo police announced that it was about offensive messages, without giving further details.

All these events were preceded by the synchronized removal of graffiti and murals in the north of Kosovo, which was carried out by companies hired by the municipality. The Kosovo Police assisted. Even graffiti that had no nationalist connotations was removed.

Thus, some of the recognizable symbols of the north disappeared overnight, such as the inscription "There's no going back from here", the mural of Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije in the northern part of Mitrovica, and the images of the young people who died tragically in the municipality of Leposavic.

However, the arrest of the two boys left the biggest impression, as did the filmed tearing of the flag of the women's association.

Is there a legal basis for this concession by the Kosovo authorities?

Lawyer Dragutin Nenezic explained Alternativna and Zubin Potok INFO that there was a legal basis according to which the Kosovo authorities act but warned that the Kosovo authorities were implementing it incorrectly and were choosing the most rigorous measures.

"They are selectively choosing the most severe possible sanctions with the intention of further repressing the Serbian people in the north of Kosovo and qualifying the simple wearing of a t-shirt or flag as a criminal offense, which definitely is not. This is contrary to European standards, not only in terms of the right to free expression, but also the highlighting of national and other symbols, which can only be disputed in the most severe case. And this is far from that," Nenezic said.

"They are acting beyond their authority and with a completely wrong and malicious interpretation of the regulations, which is not unusual".

When asked how he comments on the way they do it, such as the most recent case - tearing the flag of the association, Nenezic clearly pointed out that it was an overreaction.

"That is excessive, and it has nothing to do with official powers. If something is a problem, it can be taken, and the question is whether it should be confiscated and destroyed, that ritual splitting - it is outside of any legal framework," - said Nenezic.

However, he pointed out that it was problematic that for now no one was dealing with the reaction to these cases in an organized way.

"Because even within the framework of the Kosovo legal system there are legal means that can be used against it," he added.

He also believes that the Kosovo authorities cannot be expected to act differently in the future.

"I don't think anything good can be expected from the authorities that act there, they have already shown that in the last three years more than once, so there is nothing good for anyone to hope for."

International

Man to cycle to Kosovo for charity after dad's death (BBC)

A man from Haslemere will cycle over 2,200km (1,367 miles) from Surrey to Kosovo to raise money for charity in tribute to his father who died from pancreatic cancer.

Hasan Rrahmani, who is originally from Kosovo, left the country when war broke out in 1999 and after months of displacement, the family came to the UK.

Hasan's father, Emin, lived in Hendon, but he died in 2019, aged 71, just four weeks after being diagnosed.

In November 2019, Emin felt very fatigued but he put it down to his type 2 diabetes and age, but while on a trip to Kosovo he started to feel weak and unwell.

He went to the doctors who advised him to return to England. The pain was so severe an ambulance picked him shortly after his arrival from the airport.

Scans were ordered which revealed that he had pancreatic cancer.

"That was one of the most difficult conversations," said Hasan.

"The words were just not coming out of my mouth. He was leaning forward, trying to listen intently.

"He understood it was cancer, but he didn't comprehend the severity. Telling him he had weeks left to live, it was devastating."

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/4kwdw3ae

Report raises fears for Serbia’s last dissenting media voices (BIRN)

A leaked recording has triggered alarm over the fate of a group of media outlets in Serbia that represent some of the last voices of dissent, just as President Aleksandar Vucic is mulling elections.

Fears are growing over the fate of some of the last media outlets in Serbia not aligned with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, SNS, following an explosive report alleging President Aleksandar Vucic had sought to have a senior director fired.

The allegations regarding the management of United Media, majority-owned by the British private equity fund BC Partners, has deepened concern about the shrinking space for dissent in Serbia amid ongoing anti-government protests that may trigger early elections.