UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 3, 2025

Albanian Language Media:

Sorensen expected to visit Kosovo this month (Klan Kosova)
Svecla: Civil Protection remains active in Kosovo’s territory (media)
Court orders 30-day detention for arrested OSCE staff member (media)
Detention extended for two suspects for attack on Iber Lepenci canal (media)
“750 Serbs from Kosovo to be used to protect Vucic, destabilize protests” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

OSCE: We are familiar with the reports on the detention of a member of the mission, we are in contact with the institutions (KoSSev, KiM radio, NMagazin, N1)
M. M. from Leposavic, detained during the Svecla's conference in the North, was released (KoSSev)
Petkovic: Poorly directed Svecla's film, proof of nervousness over the Serb List's victory (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
Zakharova: Russia’s position on Kosovo is based on real facts and international law (Kosovo Online, RTS, Radio Mitrovica sever, N1)
Students from Novi Sad grateful to their colleagues from the University of Pristina: "In the joint fight for justice" (KoSSev)
Mass protest of students in Nis – ‘Student Edict’ (N1)

International Media:

Kosovo businesses under threat from Trump's USAID freeze (Reuters)
Kosovo political dissident’s unexplained disappearance (BIRN)
Anti-Corruption Protest Grips Serbia’s Third City as Discontent Spreads (BIRN)
Students in Serbia are losing faith in the EU, but not in European values (theparliamentmagazine.eu)

Albanian Language Media

Sorensen expected to visit Kosovo this month (Klan Kosova)

New EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Peter Sorensen, is expected to visit Kosovo this month in what would be his first visit since he took up the new post, the TV station reported on Saturday.

Svecla: Civil Protection remains active in Kosovo’s territory (media)

Kosovo Police said on Friday that it launched an operation in the village of Rodel in the municipality of Leposavic which resulted in the confiscation of military uniforms, weapons and ammunition which are believed to have been in the ownership of the so-called Civil Protection. Radio Free Europe notes that Kosovo’s authorities had declared the Civil Protection as a terrorist organization.

Kosovo Police Director Gazmend Hoxha told a press conference that a suspect was escorted to the police station for interviewing. Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, told reporters that the confiscated weapons and ammunition prove that Civil Protection remains active in the territory of Kosovo. “Serbia continues to give shelter to Milan Radoicic, who is the leader of this entire organization, and who is trying to keep alive the remnants of the terrorist groups both in Serbia and in Kosovo,” he said. “Kosovo Police is capable of dealing with these remnants, and they are proving this every day. We are not scared, and we will make sure that every such group that operates in Kosovo will face the police, prosecution and judiciary”.

Court orders 30-day detention for arrested OSCE staff member (media)

Most news websites reported on Sunday that the Basic Court in Pristina has approved the prosecution’s request for a 30-day detention for a staff member of the OSCE mission in Kosovo. The latter said in a Facebook post that it is “aware of media reports regarding the detention of a Mission member. We are in contact with their legal representative and are closely monitoring their well-being in line with our duty of care. While the Mission cannot comment further on this case due to the ongoing investigation, it remains committed to co-operating with the relevant authorities. The Mission is in contact with both the relevant institutions and OSCE Secretariat in Vienna to ensure that due process is observed”.

Most media reported over the weekend about the arrest and said that the suspect is suspected of espionage and “giving information to the Serbian Intelligence Agency”.

Detention extended for two suspects for attack on Iber Lepenci water canal (media)

The Basic Court in Pristina has extended the detention measure for another two months for Dragisa and Jovan Vicentijevic who are suspected of carrying out the attack on the Iber Lepenci water canal near Zubin Potok in November last year. A spokesperson for the court confirmed the information.

Kosovo’s authorities said in late November last year that the terrorist attack was carried out with 20 kilograms of explosive and claimed that Serbia is behind the attack.

“750 Serbs from Kosovo to be used to protect Vucic, destabilize protests” (media)

Several news websites cover an interview that Branimir Stojanovic, former mayor of the municipality of Gracanica, gave to Nedeljnik, highlighting his claims that the Serbian government is planning to send hundreds of Serbs from Kosovo to Belgrade in March and use them to provoke incidents and try to destroy the student protests. He claimed that the Serbs from Kosovo will be placed as a human shield around the Serbian Presidency to protect Aleksandar Vucic and that they will be used to incite conflicts. “Serbs from Kosovo will be used to provoke incidents in the mass protests and will be an excuse to use the police to crack down on the student protests,” he said.

According to Stojanovic, the exact date when Serbs from Kosovo could travel to Serbia is not known “but we know that they have been ordered to be on standby and the first group could leave on March 12”.

Serbian Language Media

OSCE: We are familiar with the reports on the detention of a member of the mission, we are in contact with the institutions (KoSSev, KiM radio, NMagazin, N1)

"The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is aware of media reports regarding the detention of a member of the Mission," the OSCE announced last night, without providing details about the specific case. According to still unconfirmed information and according to media reports in Pristina, it is about J. Dj, from North Mitrovica, who was arrested on Friday on charges of espionage, reported KoSSev.

This mission said that they are in contact with the legal representative and that they are carefully monitoring the condition of the member of the mission in accordance with their duties.

"While the Mission cannot comment further on this case due to the ongoing investigation, it remains committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities," they said.

They also say that they are in contact with the relevant institutions and the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, to ensure that the due process is followed.

Prosecution on the arrest, Svecla on alleged "espionage for Serbian authorities"

J. Dj. was arrested on February 28, which was reported on the same day by the Kosovo Special Prosecutor's Office, stating that she was suspected of espionage, and that everything was preceded by a months-long investigation. She was immediately detained for 48 hours, and her apartment was searched. The same day, Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, announced a new detail, namely that this person was arrested on suspicion of having allegedly committed the criminal act of espionage for the "Serbian authorities".

J. Dj. was ordered 30 days detention by the judge of the Basic Court in Pristina, with the explanation that there is "a reason to suspect that she committed the criminal act of espionage as a co-perpetrator". The court considers that there is a risk of escape, influence on witnesses, as well as re-commitment of the criminal act.

Lawyer of J. Dj., Predrag Miljkovic confirmed to KoSSev the accusations of espionage, but without presenting specific details, because yesterday's hearing was closed to the public.

He indicated that she is charged with paragraph 3 of this criminal offense, which reads:

"Whoever joins a foreign intelligence network, collects data for it or in any other way helps its work, will be punished by imprisonment for at least five (5) years".

M. M. from Leposavic, detained during the Svecla's conference in the North, was released (KoSSev)

Serb from Leposavic M.M., who was detained on Friday for alleged unauthorized possession of weapons, with a detention measure of up to 48 hours, was released yesterday, reported KoSSev.

M.M. was detained at a time when Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, and Director of the Kosovo Police, Gazmend Hoxha, held a press conference at the police station in the northern part of Mitrovica.

The conference was organized on, as it was announced at the time, the seizure of weapons and equipment in the village of Rodelj in Leposavic.

A large number of uniforms was exhibited then, among which were older ones with the coat of arms of Serbia, one jacket with the inscription "Civil Defense", several camouflage jackets, vests, lower parts, two rifles, at least four separate cartridges, ammunition of different calibers, binoculars, a military bag, a gas mask, several books and a plastic bag of unknown content.

According to KoSSev, Svecla and Hoxha linked this seizure with Milan Radoicic and Civil Protection, stating at the same time that what was seized "proves that parallel structures - 'Civil Protection' continue to operate on the territory of Kosovo". Svecla also said that one person was taken into custody, but he did not want to give details about what that person was charged with, announcing that the police would issue a statement immediately after the conference, which did not happen. The yesterday's KP 24-hour report, briefly announced that one person was arrested after firearms, ammunition, military uniforms and other military equipment were found and seized during the search of the house. At the same time, they confirmed that this man was detained.

Lawyer of the detained person, Jelena Krivokapic, however, confirmed yesterday to KoSSev that this person - a Serb from Leposavic M. M. - has been released.

"Today he was released from custody, and the proceedings will proceed to the regular procedure," she stated, stressing that this is a man against whom no proceedings have ever been conducted.

And while the police exhibited numerous uniforms and other items during the conference, Krivokapic claimed that there was a confusion.

"At the conference, a video of a large number of confiscated uniforms, some weapons and ammunition were shown, so there was confusion among the public that all this was found in his house in the village of Kruscica, where no one lives," she stated.

She explains that it is about the rural, abandoned house of M. M.'s father, who died in 2019, and who was a professor, a military person, and then in the Civil Protection, until integration followed.

"He stayed in that house often during his life, and since he was a military person in the JNA (Yugoslav People's Army) many years ago, after his death, one ceremonial uniform of the JNA, several old military shirts from that time and a 'Civil Defense' jacket were left in the house," said Krivokapic.

She confirmed that a hunting rifle was also found in this house.

Krivokapic also referred to the allegations that "something that looks like an explosive" was found. "It was clarified very quickly that these were wax products, since my client's late father was engaged in beekeeping," she stated. Krivokapic confirmed that the police then searched the apartment of her client, who lives in Leposavic.

"During the search, one air rifle was found for which no license is required and a hunting rifle, for which my client has a valid license and binoculars," she stated.

Krivokapic emphasized that although her client has been released, the regular procedure was ongoing, and that the outcome of the charges most likely depends on the judicial authorities.

Petkovic: Poorly directed Svecla's film, proof of nervousness over the Serb List's victory (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)

After Kosovo's Minister of Police, Xhelal Svecla, announced that weapons had been seized near Leposavic, attributing responsibility to the "Civil Protection," the Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, responded by calling it yet another "poorly directed Svecla's film" following a well-worn script, which, in his view, only reveals the nervousness over the Serb List's victory in the recent elections, reported Kosovo Online.

"Tonight, we witnessed another staged film by Kurti's chief falsifier, Xhelal Svecla, who showcased decades-old uniforms and empty ammunition magazines in an attempt to once again accuse and criminalize Serbia and the Serbian people," Petkovic stated in his announcement.

He added that everyone has grown tired of "Kurti’s and Svecla fabrications, forgeries, and spin tactics," aimed at attributing so-called "sensational discoveries" of highly dubious origin to Belgrade and the Serbian people. Meanwhile, according to Petkovic, “they are entangling themselves in their own lies,” all to divert attention from their own failure in the recent elections.

"The script is already familiar. Nervous after the election debacle and the victory of the Serbian List, which he failed to destroy despite all his efforts, Kurti is now trying to falsely accuse and criminalize the Serbian people and Belgrade to shift public attention from the fact that he lost the recent elections and is struggling to form a majority," Petkovic pointed out.

He emphasized that no "moldy uniforms" from decades ago, which are being used to deceive the public, nor any other props can help Kurti, because the Serbian people defeated him at the polls with their votes and democratic choice.

All the terror he inflicted on Serbs "has backfired on him," said Petkovic.

"There is no doubt that Kurti and his subordinates will attempt to use tonight’s staged event for further unfounded attacks on Belgrade and smear campaigns, but it will remain what it truly is—a poorly directed Friday night film," Petkovic concluded.

Zakharova: Russia’s position on Kosovo is based on real facts and international law (Kosovo Online, RTS, Radio Mitrovica sever, N1)

Neither history, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, nor international law has changed, and therefore, neither has Russia’s stance on Kosovo, Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Maria Zakharova emphasized.

Speaking to RTS, Zakharova pointed out that Russia's position on Kosovo is based on two key elements.

“The first foundation is our knowledge of the issue. We do not learn about Kosovo from American newspapers but from history, the history of Serbia, the history of Yugoslavia, the history of the Serbian people, and the history of the Balkans, a complex region that has endured much over the past 200 or 300 years. Our position is formed based on real facts, not political conclusions, or geopolitical strategies, but on historical knowledge and facts,” she stressed.

Zakharova stated that the second part of Russia’s position is rooted in international law.

“Our position is based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244. No one has revoked it. It remains the foundation for resolving this issue. Neither history, nor the Resolution, nor international law has changed, so why should our stance on Kosovo and Metohija change?” she emphasized.

Referring to the vote in UN GA, when the Serbian delegation voted “for” the anti-Russian resolution, Zakharova told RTS that in Russia they were “shocked” noting that she was not talking about diplomats, but about ordinary people, reported N1.

“I want to hope that this was not a Freudian slip,” I hope that this was said by accident, that instead of ‘Serbian’ you said ‘American’ relations, I hope that Serbia has its own policy and will implement a nationally oriented policy,” said Zakharova.

“It seems to me that the only real decision of the Serbian leadership was to apologize to its own people, to the Serbs for whom it was as much a shock as it was for the Russians, and say that it was a mistake,” she added.

Students from Novi Sad grateful to their colleagues from the University of Pristina: "In the joint fight for justice" (KoSSev)

"Their commitment and empathy show the strength of student solidarity" - the students in the blockade of the University of Novi Sad thanked their colleagues from the University of Pristina, relocated to North Mitrovica.

"We, the students in the blockade of the University of Novi Sad, want to express our deep gratitude to our colleagues from the University of Pristina, with the temporary seat in Kosovska Mitrovica, for the support and solidarity they have provided us," their statement, published on the official website of the students in the blockade at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, states.

They say that the support of their colleagues from Kosovo means a lot to them, but also that they stand by them "in the common fight for truth and justice."

"In this way, we send them sincere support, with the message that we are united together and persistent in the fight to make the voice of students heard," they stated.

Novi Sad students reminded that their colleagues from Kosovo have on several occasions honored the victims of the fall of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad with a fifteen-minute silence, as well as that they have supported protests throughout Serbia.

The students of the University of Pristina provided this kind of support for the last time at Saturday's large protest called "Student Edict" in Nis, which was attended by tens of thousands of people from all over Serbia.

About eighty of them - students and Serbs from the North - went to Nis in an organized bus on Saturday morning, precisely to attend this gathering.

Mass protest of students in Nis – ‘Student Edict’ (N1)

A protest of students called 'Student Edict' began on Saturday at 9 a.m. with the gathering of students and citizens at four locations in the southeastern city of Nis - the intersection of Vardarska and Jovan Ristic Streets, near the Cathedral, the Niteks building and the Faculty of Medicine.

The rally lasted until 11am., when the participants of the protest went on a protest walk to the King Milan Square, the central location of the gathering. Starting at 11:52 a.m. they all paid respects in a 15-minute silence for the victims of the Novi Sad Railway incident, when 17 people died in the fall of the canopy – which is the initial reason for the mass protest of students across Serbia. The protest lasted until 3 a.m. the next day.

The Speeches and performances were held at the King Milan Square and continued throughout the day.

The organizers were supported by numerous citizens, students, pensioners, actors, veterans of the 63rd Parachute Brigade, and other citizens judging by the columns of vehicles on the Belgrade-Nis highway.

Food was being prepared on the streets, and the people of Nis, known for their hospitality and culinary specialties, who promised not to leave anyone hungry. The students have announced that the next big protest will be held in Belgrade on March 15th.

International Media

Kosovo businesses under threat from Trump's USAID freeze (Reuters)

Kenan Gashi saws the limbs off old mannequins in his shop in Kosovo and throws them into machines donated by the U.S. government that shred and clean the plastic so it can be sold for reuse.

Gashi's recycling business in Fushe Kosova was transformed when it received the equipment from the U.S. international aid agency (USAID) two years ago, prompting him to draw up plans to hire more workers.

But Gashi is worried now. More than a third of the $130,000 worth of promised equipment has still not arrived. And now the administration of President Donald Trump has frozen USAID funding and sought to drastically scale down the aid agency and all U.S. foreign aid under his "America First" agenda.