Albanian Language Media: 

• Osmani on IDESVC: We stand with the survivors (media)
• Kurti: No healing without justice, no peace without an end to impunity (media)
• PDK message on IDESVC: We will never stop seeking justice for victims (media)
• Abdixhiku on unity government: It would help break the political deadlock (media)
• EU on deportation of Serb police officers: It should’ve been last measure (RFE)
• Goran Rakic does not respond to prosecution’s summon for interview (Dukagjini)
• Haradinaj meets OSCE Head of Mission, asks for support for Kosovo (media)
• How is Russia spreading propaganda in the Albanian language? (RFE)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Djuric: Indictment against 11 Serbs political persecution and provocation against international community (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
• Pristina court issues warrants for six Serbs suspected of ‘hooliganism and illegal weapons possession’ (Kosovo Online)
• Rasic’s cabinet: There will be no forceful expulsion of 17 families from homes in Lesak (KoSSev, media)

• Self-determination Party reveals plans for two new Ibar bridges (KoSSev)

• EU on deported Serbs: We asked Kosovo authorities to ensure fair process (media)
• Rakic did not respond to Special Prosecution summons (Radio KIM, media)
• Macut, Egyptian FM discuss emergency evacuation of Serbian nationals from Israel (Tanjug)

International Media: 

• Unburied Pain: Kosovo’s Missing Persons 26 Years Later (PI)

Albanian Language Media 

Osmani on IDESVC: We stand with the survivors (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, that Kosovo stands “with the survivors - whose strength in the face of Milosevic’s atrocities remains a powerful call to action”. “In Kosovo, their courage lights the path toward justice and a future where sexual violence is never again used as a weapon of war. Their voices echo far beyond our borders, turning pain into purpose and inspiring change around the world. We are proud to walk beside them,” Osmani wrote in a post on X.

Kurti: No healing without justice, no peace without an end to impunity (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti commented on Thursday on the exhibition by renowned Kosovo artist Alketa Xhapa-Mripa in Strasbourg titled Thinking of You. The exhibition is a homage to survivors of sexual violence in conflict around the world. “On this day of reckoning and remembrance, Thinking of You by internationally renowned Kosova artist Alketa Xhafa-Mripa rises in Strasbourg, the European capital of human rights. Born from the pain of Kosova’s survivors — 20,000 women, children, and men raped during the war — this work transforms memory into voice. It speaks not only for Kosova, but to the world: not just to remember, but to awaken. Through art, Kosova sheds light on a global wound and calls for accountability. There can be no healing without justice, no peace without an end to impunity,” Kurti said in a post on X.

PDK message on IDESVC: We will never stop seeking justice for victims (media)

On the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) said in a Facebook post that this is a day to call for justice, awareness-raising and action. “On the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, we stand by all the victims of this form of violence experienced by Serbia’s paramilitary and military forces during the last war in Kosovo. This day is a call for justice, awareness-raising and action. It is our duty to support the victims, to seek punishment for the perpetrators of these crimes and to build a world where no woman, man or child has to live in fear. Kosovo doesn’t forget! Kosovo will never stop seeking justice!” the statement notes.

Abdixhiku on unity government: It would help break the political deadlock (media)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku said on Thursday that his proposal for a national unity government would help break the current political deadlock. “It is true that with the Unity Government there is no opposition, but in the current circumstances there is no government nor opposition,” he argued in a debate on TV Dukagjini. “A Unity Government is a classical coalition. It is a solution to break out of the political deadlock. Any other scenario is worse. The LDK has made no obstacle to the constitution of the new Kosovo Assembly”.

EU on deportation of Serb police officers: It should’ve been last measure (RFE)

A spokesperson for the European Union told the news website on Thursday that measures such as revoking citizenship or deportation, in the case of members of the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs residing in Kosovo, should have been the last measures and taken only after a legal process. The spokesperson also said that revoking citizenship or deportation must comply with the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly Article 8, which requires an individual assessment based on evidence that balances national security with the individual’s private and family life. “We are closely monitoring the arrests and deportations. We have called on Kosovo authorities to ensure a fair process, respect fundamental rights standards, and guarantee legal remedies for affected individuals,” the spokesperson said.

Goran Rakic does not respond to prosecution’s summon for interview (Dukagjini)

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo said on Thursday that the former leader of the Serbian List, Goran Rakic, has not appeared at the last session for an interview called for June 18. A spokesperson for the prosecution said that Rakic had initially sent a medical report saying that he had health problems and could not take part in the interview. But in the second summon for an interview, Rakic presented no reason for his absence. “The Special Prosecution will very soon appoint another session for the interview,” the spokesperson said.

Haradinaj meets OSCE Head of Mission, asks for support for Kosovo (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj hosted on Thursday the head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Gerard McGurk. “The OSCE mission in Kosovo has continuously supported local institutions in advancing democracy, promoting human rights and the rule of law. Our conversation today was in this spirit, and I asked Ambassador McGurk for his support for our country, and I also assured him of my and the Alliance’s cooperation with the mission he leads,” Haradinaj said in a Facebook post after the meeting. 

How is Russia spreading propaganda in the Albanian language? (RFE)

The news website reported on Thursday that the Russian propaganda network, Pravda, known for spreading disinformation in over 80 countries and in different languages, has been active for over a year for the Albanian speaking audience too. The network uses automation to generate hundreds of articles fast and oftentimes based on content from Russian state-affiliated media outlets that are banned by the European Union.

A report titled “The Russian propaganda network Pravda and the Balkans” published on Wednesday by Hibrid.info, which monitors media disinformation about Kosovo, noted that the network has been spreading Russian propaganda narratives to Albanian-speaking audiences through various websites that are disguised as news websites. One such portal, albania.news-pravda.com and which was launched in March last year, published 2,699 articles between 28 March 2024, and 28 April 2025. These are republished from Kremlin-affiliated sources, such as the Telegram channel of the Russian Embassy in Tirana, and state media like RT, Sputnik, Tass.ru, Ria.ru, and others. The dominant themes are narratives critical of NATO, the EU, the U.S., and Western policies—particularly relating to the Balkans and Kosovo, where Kosovo is denied statehood or referred to as a “province of Serbia.”

Festim Rizanaj, a researcher at Hibrid.info, said that “in addition to narratives denying Kosovo’s statehood and comparing it to Crimea, developments in Kosovo involving the Serb community are portrayed as institutional terrorism against them”. He also said that recently there were articles on Pravda’s "news sites" in two African countries regarding the recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

Kosovo was recognized by Kenya and Sudan in March and April of this year. “News about Kosovo's recognition by Kenya was published on Eritrea News Pravda and Burkina Faso News Pravda in an attempt to cast doubt and spark controversy on the matter,” Rizanaj said, referring to Eritrea and Burkina Faso, which have not yet recognized Kosovo.

The analysis by Hibrid.info however notes that Pravda network has failed to achieve significant impact among Albanian-speaking audiences due to poor-quality automatic translations and a total absence from social media. “The main goal of the Pravda network is to indirectly influence the Albanian-speaking digital space by saturating it with Russian narratives through constant repetition, aiming to influence even artificial intelligence models such as chatbots … Indirectly, through Pravda in Albanian, Russia aims to flood the digital space with its narratives and create the perception that they are credible,” Rizanaj said.

Serbian Language Media

Djuric: Indictment against 11 Serbs political persecution and provocation against international community (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said decision of Special Prosecution in Pristina to file indictments against 11 Serbs, for their alleged involvement in the 2022 barricades, constitutes an open political persecution and yet another attempt to intimidate the Serbian population, while, as he said, also serving as a provocation by Albin Kurti’s regime against international community, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“This move is not only legally unfounded but also directly contradicts the joint statement of the European Union and the U.S. State Department from December 2022, based on which the barricades were removed under international guarantees that no repressive measures would be taken against participants. With this act, Pristina directly undermines the credibility of the EU as a mediator and blatantly violates the spirit of de-escalation established at that time”, Djuric said.

This approach, he noted, shows open disregard for the agreements reached and essentially prevents any progress in the dialogue. He called on all relevant international institutions, including those with mandates in Kosovo - and in particular those who signed the joint statement from December 2022 - to respond urgently and defend the fundamental rights of the Serbian people.

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

Pristina court issues warrants for six Serbs suspected of ‘hooliganism and illegal weapons possession’ (Kosovo Online)

The Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina has issued warrants for six Serbs “suspected of hooliganism, and in some cases, unauthorized possession of weapons”, Kosovo Online portal reported citing Pristina-based Reporteri.

The arrest warrants are issued for Boris Kragovic, Dragisa Ilic, Filip Djokovic, Lazar Radenkovic, Luka Maslakovic, and Vladimir Radivojevic.

According to the court, despite multiple summonses from the Special Prosecutor’s Office during February, March, and April of this year, the above named Serbs did appear before the prosecution, “ignored official summons” and were not available at their registered addresses. The court also authorized Kosovo police to arrest them and bring them before the prosecutor’s office in Pristina. 

Rasic’s cabinet: There will be no forceful expulsion of 17 families from homes in Lesak (KoSSev, media)

There will be no forceful expulsion of families from their homes in Lesak – reads conclusion from a meeting of Kosovo caretaker Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic and current Leposavic mayor Lulzim Hetemi, Rasic’s cabinet said in a statement, KoSSev portal reported.

The agreement was reached a few weeks after Kosovo Interior Ministry ordered removal of houses constructed on land they claim belongs to the Ministry, where 17 Serbian families live, on Brace Matovic Street in Lesak settlement.

As Serbian media earlier reported reconstruction of these houses started one year after the end of the conflict in 1999, on a land plot that belonged to the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Meanwhile, this land was taken over by the Kosovo Interior Ministry, and a police substation was recently reconstructed there. It was officially inaugurated in February this year by acting Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Following the opening of the Kosovo police substation, the 17 Serbian families in Lesak were faced with a request to move out of their homes and demolish them by the end of June, under the pretext that these houses “were illegally reconstructed” on land which now belongs to Kosovo Interior Ministry.

Caretaker Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic spoke about this problem on Thursday. In a statement it was said that he met mayor Hetemi and it was decided in a meeting that “there will be no forceful expulsions”. He confirmed that removal of houses was ordered as per decision of the Kosovo Interior Ministry noting that “it is not disputable that the land on which houses were reconstructed belongs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and we will respect their request, but before everything it is necessary to exhaust all the legal and administrative possibilities to find solution in a manner that no one would be damaged party”, the statement added. Rasic and Hetemi, will offer all their possibilities for the sake of finding a lasting solution to these 17 families, the statement added. “It is most important there will be no forcefull expulsions and that our citizens do not feel existentially threatened, and we will not leave them behind, but we will work to situate them”, it was also said.

Self-determination Party reveals plans for two new Ibar bridges (KoSSev)

They couldn’t open the main bridge, so now they’re building two new ones? Two new bridges across the Ibar River in the divided city of Mitrovica are planned to be constructed – one on each side of the main Ibar River bridge, KoSSev portal reported. 

This is not fake news. The announcement came with an illustrative image published yesterday by the ruling Self-determination Movement, appearing to show a proposed design for the two new structures.

Full article and proposed design are available at: https://shorturl.at/dcgGZ

EU on deported Serbs: We asked Kosovo authorities to ensure fair process (media)

EU Spokesperson Anitta Hipper said measures to revoke citizenship or deportation in the case of Serbian Internal Affairs Ministry members living in Kosovo, should be the last and only taken after a fair process, Kosovo Online portal reported.

In a written response to RFE Hipper also said measures of revocation of citizenship or deportation must comply with the European Convention on Human Rights, especially Article 8 for an individual, evidence-based assessment that balances domestic security with a person's private and family life.

"We are closely monitoring the arrests and deportations. We have asked the Kosovo authorities to ensure a fair process, to adhere to basic rights standards and to provide legal remedies for the affected persons", the response said.

The authorities in Pristina have recently expelled five Serbs from Kosovo, who are working for the Serbian Internal Affairs Ministry.

Rakic did not respond to Special Prosecution summons (Radio KIM, media)

Kosovo Special Prosecution said the former leader of the Serbian List, Goran Rakic did not appear in a hearing scheduled for June 18, Radio KIM reported. The spokesperson of the prosecution Arbnora Luta said Rakic was called for questioning previously but that he submitted a medical report saying he has a health issue and could not attend it.

However, as for the second summons sent by prosecution for June 18, Rakic, who is now a Serbian Assembly MP, did not submit any justification for his absence. She also said the prosecution will schedule a new date for questioning him.

Macut, Egyptian FM discuss emergency evacuation of Serbian nationals from Israel (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Djuro Macut met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo on Thursday to discuss an emergency evacuation of more than 2,500 Serbian nationals stranded in Israel, Tanjug news agency reported.

Macut thanked Abdelatty for Egypt's full and unconditional support for Serbia in these crisis times as Egypt has provided assistance in all steps necessary to ensure a safe evacuation, the Serbian Government said in a statement. Macut expressed deep gratitude for the solidarity and friendship demonstrated by Egypt, the statement added.

Thanks to that support, the Serbian Embassy in Egypt is actively taking over Serbian nationals coming to the border, after which a safe return to Serbia will be arranged for them, Macut said. That is an example of strong international cooperation and friendship in the most difficult circumstances, Macut noted following the meeting. Macut and Abdelatty also discussed bilateral economic cooperation and strengthening of old ties that date back from the era of the Non-Aligned Movement.

International 

Unburied Pain: Kosovo’s Missing Persons 26 Years Later (PI)

Twenty-six years have passed since the end of the Kosovo war, and yet the pain endures for many families—not only because of who they lost, but because they still don’t know where their loved ones are buried.

Despite coming from different towns in Kosovo, Tafil Hasani from Skenderaj, Maliq Kryeziu from Gjakova, Afrim Halimi from Fushë Kosovë, and Bekim Gashi from Tërnjë are all bound through the grief they share caused by the disappearance of their loved ones during the 1998-99 Kosovo war. 

The  1998-99 Kosovo war, which was ended through NATO intervention against Serbian forces, left behind more than just destruction in its wake. Over 13,000 people were killed, and  more than 1,600 remain unaccounted for. 

Despite the passage of time, many still hold onto hope, desperate for answers, closure, or the chance to lay their loved ones to rest.

In December 2024, Kosovo and Serbia agreed to fully implement a Joint Declaration on Missing Persons, initially signed in May 2023 within an EU mediated dialogue. It calls for unrestricted access to information, including classified data, and joint work through an EU-chaired commission.

Through a series of documentaries and investigative reports, BIRN has explored the many challenges Kosovo continues to face in locating and identifying people who went missing during the war. 

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