Indictments on Organ Trading against Citizens from Turkey and Israel

PRISTINA, Kosovo — As to international and Kosovar media a special prose- cutor from the European Union (EU) Rule-of-Law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) filed indictments against two citizens from Turkey and Israel. Yusuf Sonmez and Moshe Harel are accused of "traf- ficking in persons, organized crime and unlawful exercise of medical activity" EULEX states. According to EULEX spokesman Blerim Krasniqi "Warrants for their arrest have been issued by the District Court in Pristina and both suspects are subject to international wanted notices, issued by Interpol".

Filed under: Media Reports, Kosovo, Marty, Medicus

Inauguration of Kosovo War Crimes Institute

PRISTINA, Kosovo — The Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuci today inaugurated the Kosovo War Crimes Institute. The establishment of a war crimes institute was announced about 6 weeks ago on 1st. of May. The proclaimed aim of the institute is the research, documentation and publication of war crimes in Kosovo. As to Minister Kuci the concerning activities shell be conducted professionally without political influence. According to the former announcement the war crimes institute will have the status of a public agency under the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kosovo. 

Filed under: Media Reports, Opinion, Gruda, Kosovo, Kuci, War Crimes

Kosovo Liberation Day

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo was liberated from Serbian suppression by NATO troops entering the now independent state on 12th. June 1999. Several Kosovo officials on this occasion expressed gratitude to the European Union and the USA. The NATO intervention 12 years ago  ended a (at least) decades long ruling of a racist apartheid regime of Serbia in Kosovo. Particularly under the Milosevic presidency of Serbia respectively Yugoslavia, Kosovo Albanians faced a strong suppressi- on, starting from the annulment of Kosovo’s autonomy status within Serbia and Yugoslavia in 1989:

Filed under: Media Reports, EU, Kosovo, NATO, Serbia, USA

Kosovo PM Thaci to be investigated on Marty Report allegations

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo media widely covered the intention of the European Union (EU) to investigate accusations of the Dick Marty Report. The Council of Europe Ra- pporteur, Senator Dick Marty, in his report from December 2010 claims that members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in the time from 1998 to 2000 were involved in organ trading and organized crime. A special focus is given on the so called Drenica Group of the former KLA commander, current Kosovo Prime Minister and Head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Hashim Thaci.

Filed under: Media Reports, Albania, EU, Eulex, Haliti, KLA, Kosovo, Limaj, Marty, Muja, Serbia, Thaci, Veseli

Kosovo-Serbia Talks postponed

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Reportedly the next meeting of the EU backed technical negotiations of Kosovo and Serbia were postponed on request of the Serbian delegation. The talks were foreseen to be held on 14th to 15th June. As to Kosovo media, the Head of the Kosovar negotiation team Edita Tahiri stated, that “… the Serbian delegation, … withdrew from some of the elements of the draft agreements reached earlier during the talks”. In prior rounds of the talks in Brussels both delegations are said to have basically agreed on issues concerning the freedom of movement, trade, energy, telecommunication, return of the cadastral documents and civil registries. Tahiri expects the meeting to be repeated at the end of June, insofar the Serbian delegation is ready to sign according agreements. KON / NK

Filed under: Media Reports, Brussels, EU, Kosovo, Serbia, Tahiri

Corruption at Kosovo customs and PTK

PRISTINA, Kosovo — As to Kosovo media two major public institutions were confronted with corruption cases on Wednesday: Reportedly the office of the Kosovo Special Prosecutor filed an indictment against Shyqyri Haxha, the CEO of the publicly owned Post Telekom Kosovo. Accusations refer to a damage of 100,000 Euro caused by a license given to the "Mobile Virtual Network Operator" Dardafon.net in 2008 and 2009. Another indictment targets the Director General of the Kosovo Customs, Naim Huruglica, as well as the head of its legal office, Lulzim Rafun. Both men face accusations to have harmed the Kosovo Budget by misusing  their insider knowledge concerning a planned increase of tobacco tax. Prior to this decision the respective officials are said to have imported a sizable amount of tobacco, supported by four Kosovo companies. KON / NK

Filed under: Economy, Media Reports, Corruption, Customs, Kosovo, PTK

Andorra recognized Kosovo

PRISTINA, Kosovo — As to information of the Kosovar Ministry of Foreign affairs the state of Andorra (the Principality of Andorra) today confirmed to have recognized the Republic of Kosovo as an independent state. Andorra is located between Spain and France. With about 85,000 inhabitants it is one of Europe’s small- est countries. For Kosovo the recent recognition is the first since five months. Including Andorra, for now 76 states world wide have recognized Kosovo’s independence from Serbia, which the parliament of Kosovo declared on 17th February 2008.  Out of the European Union 22 member states recognized the Republic of Kosovo, whereas 5 states oppose its independence (Slovakia, Spain, Romania, Greece, Cyprus). De-facto Kosovo seceded already in 1999, ending a years long apartheid regime of Serbia through military intervention by NATO and allied forces. NK

Filed under: Media Reports, Andorra, Independence, Kosovo, Serbia

Explosion in "Ferronikel" Company

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Reportedly at least two employees of the "Ferronikel" factory were injured by an explosion in the night from 7th. to 8th. June. The explosion happened an electric oven and lasted over 15 minutes. As to witnesses the explosion was heard also in nearby houses and facilities. Police seemingly enforced a temporary evacuation. The Greek management of the factory is said to face complaints of its employees: According to "Ferronikel" staff the explosion was caused by insufficient working conditions and inappropriate equipment. "Ferronikel" is a mining and metallurgical enterprise nearby the Kosovar town of  Gllogovc in the region of Drenas. The former "publicly owned" company was privatized in April 2007. KON / NK

Filed under: Economy, Media Reports, Drenas, Ferronikel, Kosovo

Kosovo – EULEX cars set on fire in Prishtina

PRISTINA, Kosovo — As to Kosovar media, at 5.oo hrs. in the morning of 7th. June, two official cars of the EU rule-of-law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) burned down in Kosovo’s capital city Prishtina. No one was injured. The cars were parked outside the apartment of an EULEX member, in the city’s district of "Sunny Hill". An EULEX spokesmen believes that there is no evidence for a personal attack targeting the respective EULEX official/s. Nevertheless Kosovo Police is investigating whether the fire happened accidentally or was set intentionally. Reportedly witnesses heard, how the car windows were broken prior to an explosive device thrown into the car. The private broadcaster KTV claims to have been unofficially informed that three people were seen when setting the car on fire. KON / NK

Filed under: Media Reports, Eulex, Kosovo, Prishtina, Pristina

Kosovo Visa Regime?

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Kosovo citizens are currently only allowed to visit four countries world wide visa-free: (Turkey, Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro). As to media reports the Kosovo Government now likewise intends to request visas from visitors of selected countries. Citizens of  Russia and China are said to be among the respective states. According to government sources this policy doesn’t refer to the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, but will be also applicable to several states from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. The new visa procedure will include entry and transit visas. A starting date for the procedure was not published yet. KON/NK

Filed under: Media Reports, China, Kosovo, Russia, Visa