It has been awhile since I posted anything regarding Kosovo. My family and I moved back to the US in 2013 but I've never stopped watching the news and have kept in contact with my extended family in Kosovo. The old adage about "the more things change, the more they stay the same" is so true when applied to Kosovo. Like the continued allegations of corruption of the EULEX mission or anti-government protests over corruption.
But there was one piece of news caught my eye today and I couldn't help but dust off this blog to share. Early this morning, people wearing KLA uniforms took a police station in Macedonia and held the police officers hostage for a few hours. The men reportedly called for unification of an Albanian state before releasing the hostages. Kosovo police say there is no evidence of illegal border crossings and government opposition in Macedonia has accused the government of fabricating the story to take attention away from growing criticism of illegal wiretapping and corruption.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Friday, June 6, 2014
Explosion at Kosovo Power Plant Kills Two, 13 Injured
A hydrogen tank explosion at the Kosovo A power plant has killed at least two person and injured at least 13. There are unconfirmed reports of more deaths and injuries. The explosion was heard and felt all the way in Pristina, 10 kilometers (6 miles) away. Already not producing enough electricity to be self-sufficient, the closure of the plant following the explosion will just add to Kosovo's electricity shortage woes.
Friday, September 21, 2012
West Nile Virus Strikes Kosovo - Local News from Kosovo
The mosquito-born West Nile Virus has claimed its first victim this past week and another two suspected deaths are being investigated as being related to the virus in Kosovo. The disease which is making a debut for the first time in the Balkans claimed three victims in Serbia last month where there were at least 35 confirmed cases. While up to 80% of infected persons will not suffer any symptoms, extreme cases of the virus can lead the swelling of the brain tissue, coma, and eventual death. For those that do contract the virus, common symptoms mirror that of the regular flu.
Now to the local news, this week there has been a large focus on the proposed travel of a large delegation from the Kosovo Government to the US for the UN Assembly meeting which would require 200-300,000 Euros from the limited Kosovo budget. The proposal and cost of sending such a large delegation (20-30 people) to the UN has been met with large skepticism by the opposition parties in the press.
Announced in the news today after reports earlier in the week of being spotted in Kosovo, Naser Kelmendi, who is on the US blacklist, was arrested by Kosovo Police on Thursday (20 September). Kelmendi, who is a Bosnian citizen, is reported to be one of the biggest drug bosses in the Balkans.
The results of the Kosovo census have been revealed. Excluding municipalities in the north of Kosovo who refused to take part in the census, the population of Kosovo has been declared to be 1,739,825 inhabitants. The last known official count of the population of Kosovo was held in 1981 with 1.5 million persons. In 1991, Albanians boycotted the census and the population was estimated to be 1.9 million.
Now to the local news, this week there has been a large focus on the proposed travel of a large delegation from the Kosovo Government to the US for the UN Assembly meeting which would require 200-300,000 Euros from the limited Kosovo budget. The proposal and cost of sending such a large delegation (20-30 people) to the UN has been met with large skepticism by the opposition parties in the press.
Announced in the news today after reports earlier in the week of being spotted in Kosovo, Naser Kelmendi, who is on the US blacklist, was arrested by Kosovo Police on Thursday (20 September). Kelmendi, who is a Bosnian citizen, is reported to be one of the biggest drug bosses in the Balkans.
The results of the Kosovo census have been revealed. Excluding municipalities in the north of Kosovo who refused to take part in the census, the population of Kosovo has been declared to be 1,739,825 inhabitants. The last known official count of the population of Kosovo was held in 1981 with 1.5 million persons. In 1991, Albanians boycotted the census and the population was estimated to be 1.9 million.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Kosovo Granted Full Sovereignty
Last Friday, the Kosovo Parliament passed legislation officially ending supervised independence. Members of the International Steering Group on Monday declared Kosovo fully independent. Even with the end of supervised independence, the Kosovo parliament officially approved the extension of the mandate of EULEX through 2014 and the Deputy KFOR commander stated that NATO troops would remain in Kosovo for another 5-7 years.
With the end of supervised independence, many have been asking "what's next" or "what does it mean" and perhaps most importantly, Is Kosovo ready and what are the remaining challenges?
In other news, Serbian war crimes prosecutors say that they have a witness to the alleged organ trafficking by the KLA. In an interview on Serbian TV on Monday, the witness described removing the heart of a Serbian captive and how he was trained in organ harvesting.
With the end of supervised independence, many have been asking "what's next" or "what does it mean" and perhaps most importantly, Is Kosovo ready and what are the remaining challenges?
In other news, Serbian war crimes prosecutors say that they have a witness to the alleged organ trafficking by the KLA. In an interview on Serbian TV on Monday, the witness described removing the heart of a Serbian captive and how he was trained in organ harvesting.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
UN Secretary-General Visits Kosovo - Vetevendosje Strikes
Today the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon of South Korea, will visit Kosovo. This is the first high-level visit from the United Nations since Kofi Annan visited in 1999. As preparations were underway for the visit, Vetevendosje paid a visit to the UNMIK Mission HQ to spray-paint the word "Fair" after the word UN near the main entrance of the compound.
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Worrying Kosovo Infant Mortality Rate
International and Kosovo health officials are concerned about the rate of infant mortality in Kosovo despite it dropping over the past 10 years. The rate is still higher than it should be with 17.1 deaths in 1000 births.
The lack of a true proper healthcare system and other factors such as poverty and education all contribute to the higher infant mortality rate in Kosovo.
We recently witnessed how frustrating dealing with the public hospital in Pristina can be when a friend of ours gave birth to a baby boy with a serious congenial heart defect that should have been detected by the gynecologist during pregnancy, a mistake that has infuriated the neonatologist at the Pristina Hospital. Because of the failure of the prenatal doctor identifying the heart defect, we have been struggling for two weeks to find a charity to assist sending the baby to another country and pay for the 150,000 Euro operation that will help to save the little boy's life as the medical treatment cannot be found in Kosovo. Luckily an Italian charity has come through and our friend's baby had surgery this morning in Tirana, Albania where an Italian doctor traveled to perform the operation.
Update - 12 July 2012 - I am saddened to report that despite receiving the much needed surgery in Tirana, our friend's baby passed away in the early hours of the morning. It is extremely frustrating to think that had the prenatal doctor identified the heart defect as it should have been and the medical care he needed been available in Kosovo he may still be with us today. It took more than two weeks to be able to get the baby into the desperately needed surgery because of funding and travel considerations and I can't help but keep thinking that it was two weeks too long.
The lack of a true proper healthcare system and other factors such as poverty and education all contribute to the higher infant mortality rate in Kosovo.
We recently witnessed how frustrating dealing with the public hospital in Pristina can be when a friend of ours gave birth to a baby boy with a serious congenial heart defect that should have been detected by the gynecologist during pregnancy, a mistake that has infuriated the neonatologist at the Pristina Hospital. Because of the failure of the prenatal doctor identifying the heart defect, we have been struggling for two weeks to find a charity to assist sending the baby to another country and pay for the 150,000 Euro operation that will help to save the little boy's life as the medical treatment cannot be found in Kosovo. Luckily an Italian charity has come through and our friend's baby had surgery this morning in Tirana, Albania where an Italian doctor traveled to perform the operation.
Update - 12 July 2012 - I am saddened to report that despite receiving the much needed surgery in Tirana, our friend's baby passed away in the early hours of the morning. It is extremely frustrating to think that had the prenatal doctor identified the heart defect as it should have been and the medical care he needed been available in Kosovo he may still be with us today. It took more than two weeks to be able to get the baby into the desperately needed surgery because of funding and travel considerations and I can't help but keep thinking that it was two weeks too long.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Supervised Independence of Kosovo to End in September 2012
Yesterday, the International Steering Group for Kosovo agreed to end the supervised independence of Kosovo in September. The steering group is made up of 23 European countries, the United States, and Turkey. The Steering Group said that Kosovo had made significant steps to implementing the Comprehensive Settlement Proposal (CSP) which included laws for cultural and religion heritage protections and community rights.
What does the end of Supervised Independence mean for Kosovo? Well, the International Civilian Office (ICO), headed by Peter Feith, which hold executive authority to oversee independence will be closed down in September. The European Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), KFOR (NATO's Kosovo Force) and UNMIK will still remain in Kosovo.
In other news, Italian Member of Parliament Pino Arlacchi has sent a series of questions to the European Commission on the progress of EULEX investigations who stated that UNMIK and EULEX "has something to hide". Arlacchi has been requesting status reports on 11 cases handed over to EULEX from UNMIK which cited criminal conduct involving more than 60 million Euros related to the privatization of Kosovo's electricity.
Also, the sale of Post & Telcomm Kosovo (PTK) has restarted after it was stopped last year amid allegations of corruption and harmful contracts. The sale is in the pre-qualification stage where companies can express interest in purchasing the company. The Kosovo budget greatly relies on the sale of PTK which is expected to bring in between 300-600 million Euros.
What does the end of Supervised Independence mean for Kosovo? Well, the International Civilian Office (ICO), headed by Peter Feith, which hold executive authority to oversee independence will be closed down in September. The European Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), KFOR (NATO's Kosovo Force) and UNMIK will still remain in Kosovo.
In other news, Italian Member of Parliament Pino Arlacchi has sent a series of questions to the European Commission on the progress of EULEX investigations who stated that UNMIK and EULEX "has something to hide". Arlacchi has been requesting status reports on 11 cases handed over to EULEX from UNMIK which cited criminal conduct involving more than 60 million Euros related to the privatization of Kosovo's electricity.
Also, the sale of Post & Telcomm Kosovo (PTK) has restarted after it was stopped last year amid allegations of corruption and harmful contracts. The sale is in the pre-qualification stage where companies can express interest in purchasing the company. The Kosovo budget greatly relies on the sale of PTK which is expected to bring in between 300-600 million Euros.
Friday, June 29, 2012
House Hunting in Pristina
This past week has been extremely frustrating as we searched for a new house in Pristina. Being a family in Kosovo, we had special considerations (extra bedroom for the kiddies, bathtub for bathtime, no neighbors uptairs/downstairs to bother if the kiddies are noisy) that proved to be rather difficult to fulfill in our price range according to the three different rental agencies we tried to work with this week.
First the websites proved to be the old bait-and-switch tactic where houses were advertised that had already been rented many moons ago or the price changed due to ridiculous reason (well, the price listed is if you live upstairs in the three bedrooms and the landlord lives downstairs in the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Huh?!)
Then when outlining our requirements for the number of rooms, bathtub, and maximum price, basically everything was ignored. One rental agency showed us houses that were double to quadruple our price range but assured us that we should just go look at the houses and they were sure the landlords would negotiate down because the houses had been listed for a long time (some for more than two years empty!) Basically that didn't happen. The one house we viewed that was double our price, the guy was happy to negotiate down but certainly not to half his asking price (even if the house has been empty for 1.5 years).
And lastly, in searching on our own and through the rental agencies, we found that almost none of the houses we looked at had "House for Rent" signs. It was almost impossible to know that the houses were available for rent. The exception to this is the Dragodan neighborhood where nearly every second or third house has a sign.
Some people swear by using a rental agency because it saves them time and effort. We found that we wasted days of our time by using the agencies. However, if you are searching for a house and would like to use an agency, here are a couple that I would suggest (if not only to get an idea of what's on the market). We finally ended up finding a house through "a friend who knew someone who had a friend that was looking to rent" and found exactly what we were looking for :)
Rental Agencies in Pristina
First the websites proved to be the old bait-and-switch tactic where houses were advertised that had already been rented many moons ago or the price changed due to ridiculous reason (well, the price listed is if you live upstairs in the three bedrooms and the landlord lives downstairs in the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Huh?!)
Then when outlining our requirements for the number of rooms, bathtub, and maximum price, basically everything was ignored. One rental agency showed us houses that were double to quadruple our price range but assured us that we should just go look at the houses and they were sure the landlords would negotiate down because the houses had been listed for a long time (some for more than two years empty!) Basically that didn't happen. The one house we viewed that was double our price, the guy was happy to negotiate down but certainly not to half his asking price (even if the house has been empty for 1.5 years).
And lastly, in searching on our own and through the rental agencies, we found that almost none of the houses we looked at had "House for Rent" signs. It was almost impossible to know that the houses were available for rent. The exception to this is the Dragodan neighborhood where nearly every second or third house has a sign.
Some people swear by using a rental agency because it saves them time and effort. We found that we wasted days of our time by using the agencies. However, if you are searching for a house and would like to use an agency, here are a couple that I would suggest (if not only to get an idea of what's on the market). We finally ended up finding a house through "a friend who knew someone who had a friend that was looking to rent" and found exactly what we were looking for :)
Rental Agencies in Pristina
- Capital Ring (www.ringks.com)
- Omega Real Estate (www.omega-ks.com)
Many Injuries as Serbs clash with Kosovo Police - Fist Fight in Kosovo Parliament
Yesterday marked St. Vitus (Vivodan) celebration for Serbians and it was estimated that more than 50 people were injured between clashes between Serbian celebrants and Kosovo Police. The Kosovo Police reportedly deported several buses of young, drunk Serbians traveling to Gazimenstan for the celebrations. After crossing the border, the youths began to throw stones at the Kosovo Police and reportedly also fired shots. 32 Kosovo Police were treated for injuries and 20 Serbs were seen for injuries.
In a separate incident, a bus carrying Serbians was stoned and a Molotov cocktail was thrown at it as it passed on the highway through Pristina. I actually got to see the still smoking Molotov cocktail as it smoldered in the road near Hotel Victory on the Pristina-Skopje highway. My inital reaction was "why is that beer bottle burning?" and the next thought was "holy crap, that's what a Molotov cocktail looks like!"
In a totally unrelated incident, Vetevendosje and PDK members of parliament engaged in two separate fistfights in the Kosovo Parliament Building yesterday over SHIK. At this time no charges have been filed but if medical reports are provided, criminal charges can be filed according to the Pristina Municipal Prosecutor.
Yesterday, the Kosovo Police denied the entry of the Serbian Kosovo Minister, Bodganovic, due to his support for parallel structures in the North of Kosovo.
In a separate incident, a bus carrying Serbians was stoned and a Molotov cocktail was thrown at it as it passed on the highway through Pristina. I actually got to see the still smoking Molotov cocktail as it smoldered in the road near Hotel Victory on the Pristina-Skopje highway. My inital reaction was "why is that beer bottle burning?" and the next thought was "holy crap, that's what a Molotov cocktail looks like!"
In a totally unrelated incident, Vetevendosje and PDK members of parliament engaged in two separate fistfights in the Kosovo Parliament Building yesterday over SHIK. At this time no charges have been filed but if medical reports are provided, criminal charges can be filed according to the Pristina Municipal Prosecutor.
Yesterday, the Kosovo Police denied the entry of the Serbian Kosovo Minister, Bodganovic, due to his support for parallel structures in the North of Kosovo.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Head of Kosovo Privatization Agency Commits Violent Suicide - UNMIK to close UAM Office in North
The head of the Kosovo Privatization Agency, Dino Asanaj, violently stabbed himself to death according to local and European Union officials. Following the death of Asanaj, there was speculation of murder and then suicide after reports of a note being left accusing the Zeri newspaper and two Kosovo businessmen of ruining his and his families lives over allegations of corruption. The autopsy reports confirming death by suicide were met with much disbelief and accusations of a cover-up due to the violent nature of the death, at least 11 different stab wounds.
In other news, after the announcement that the Kosovo government would open an office in the North of Kosovo and subsequently requested UNMIK to close its office, UNMIK has agreed to close down the office but not in the two week time-frame suggested by the Kosovo government. UNMIK will gradually close down the office over a three month period and work on turning over documents to the Kosovo government.
In other news, after the announcement that the Kosovo government would open an office in the North of Kosovo and subsequently requested UNMIK to close its office, UNMIK has agreed to close down the office but not in the two week time-frame suggested by the Kosovo government. UNMIK will gradually close down the office over a three month period and work on turning over documents to the Kosovo government.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
KFOR Clashes with Serbs in North - EULEX Mandate Extended to 2014
On Friday, 1 June, KFOR clashed with Serb demonstrators in the North of Kosovo when KFOR attempted to remove a barricade. Four Serbs and two German KFOR soldiers were injured in the clashes. KFOR responded with live fire after coming under fire in addition to using tear gas and rubber bullets. Following the clash, the Serbian Headquarters for Emergency Situations in the North stated that it would not allow EULEX members to travel in the North while the spokesperson for the outgoing Serbian government said that the decision to cooperate with EULEX will be taken by the incoming Serbian government.
In other news, it was announced today that the mandate of EULEX will be extended until 14 June 2014. The initial budget for 2012-2013 is Euro 111 Million. The mission is currently undergoing a reconfiguration over the summer for an overall reduction of 25% of its staff with an increased focus on justice and customs.
In other news, it was announced today that the mandate of EULEX will be extended until 14 June 2014. The initial budget for 2012-2013 is Euro 111 Million. The mission is currently undergoing a reconfiguration over the summer for an overall reduction of 25% of its staff with an increased focus on justice and customs.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Nationalist Wins Serbian Elections - Former KLA Trains Syrian Rebels?
The Nationalist candidate, Tomislav Nikolic, for Serbian President won the second round of elections on Sunday, beating out pro-European Boris Tadic. While Nikolic has re-invented himself as being more pro-European lately, he has stated that Serbia would not join the European Union if recognition of Kosovo was made a condition of membership.
In other news, Serbia and Russia have greatly criticized recent reports that Syrian rebels have been receiving training and assistance from former Kosovo Liberation Army officials in Kosovo. Kosovo's Foreign Minister has denied that any training had been planned and that only diplomatic contacts had been established with the Syrian resistance.
In other news, Serbia and Russia have greatly criticized recent reports that Syrian rebels have been receiving training and assistance from former Kosovo Liberation Army officials in Kosovo. Kosovo's Foreign Minister has denied that any training had been planned and that only diplomatic contacts had been established with the Syrian resistance.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Local News from Kosovo
A quick summary of some of the hot topics in local Kosovo news for the past week...
Serbia Holds General Elections in Kosovo
Probably the biggest story in the local news has been the upcoming Serbian general elections that OSCE has agreed to help facilitate. The US Ambassador, Christopher Dell, has stated that the elections are a good example of how neighboring countries can cooperate but warned that any local Serbian elections would be illegitimate. Tensions remain high over the elections and the Minister of Serbian Secret Services has warned of the potential for violence against Serbs.
Kosovo Press Boycotts Government on Law on Press Freedom
Many of the local newspapers left the spot normally reserved for government politics blank in protest on a law passed by the Kosovo parliament that is heavily criticized as restricting the freedom of the press.
Citizens urged to conserve water
People are being urged to begin conserving water as the weather begins to heat up. The water authority warns that if people do not begin conserving water that the shortage will become more pronounced and there will be more cuts during the hot summer months.
Serbia Holds General Elections in Kosovo
Probably the biggest story in the local news has been the upcoming Serbian general elections that OSCE has agreed to help facilitate. The US Ambassador, Christopher Dell, has stated that the elections are a good example of how neighboring countries can cooperate but warned that any local Serbian elections would be illegitimate. Tensions remain high over the elections and the Minister of Serbian Secret Services has warned of the potential for violence against Serbs.
Kosovo Press Boycotts Government on Law on Press Freedom
Many of the local newspapers left the spot normally reserved for government politics blank in protest on a law passed by the Kosovo parliament that is heavily criticized as restricting the freedom of the press.
Citizens urged to conserve water
People are being urged to begin conserving water as the weather begins to heat up. The water authority warns that if people do not begin conserving water that the shortage will become more pronounced and there will be more cuts during the hot summer months.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
NATO Deploys More Troops Ahead of Serbian Elections
Last week, NATO deployed an additional 700 soldiers to KFOR ahead of Serbian parliamentary elections. In addition to the increase in the number of soldiers, NATO has expressed concern over the operational capabilities of EULEX due to logistical problems in the North which has required NATO to take on duties not normally assigned to the peacekeeping force. Tensions remain high in the North of Kosovo after the bombing by alleged Serbian extremists and the beating of an elderly Serbian man
OSCE has announced that it will assist with the disputed Serbian general and parliamentary elections scheduled for 6 May. Recently Kosovo authorities have been seizing election materials and arresting those in possession of the materials. OSCE will now escort the materials along with EULEX and help facilitate the elections with mobile voting stations.
OSCE has announced that it will assist with the disputed Serbian general and parliamentary elections scheduled for 6 May. Recently Kosovo authorities have been seizing election materials and arresting those in possession of the materials. OSCE will now escort the materials along with EULEX and help facilitate the elections with mobile voting stations.
Trial Panel Acquits Defendants in Klecka Case
The four remaining defendants in the Klecka trial, including former Transport Minister Fatmir Limaj, were acquitted this morning by a trial panel in the Pristina District Court. It is expected that the EULEX prosecutor, Salustro, will file an appeal to the acquittal.
In other news, the Hague is holding a status conference today on the retrial of former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. Last week the prosecution completed their portion of the trial and it was not expected that the defense would call any witnesses. Haradinaj and two other defendants were called back to the first retrial in the history of the Hague tribunals on 6 of 37 counts of war crimes due to the difficulty of the prosecution to secure witness statements in the first trial.
In other news, the Hague is holding a status conference today on the retrial of former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. Last week the prosecution completed their portion of the trial and it was not expected that the defense would call any witnesses. Haradinaj and two other defendants were called back to the first retrial in the history of the Hague tribunals on 6 of 37 counts of war crimes due to the difficulty of the prosecution to secure witness statements in the first trial.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Tensions High in Kosovo
Tensions continue to escalate in Kosovo following the explosion that killed an Albanian man, the beating of a Serbian man, and then the shooting of a Serbian in the North.
Albanians reportedly began arming themselves for protection while the Kosovo government and international organizations called for calm. Deputy PM Hajredin Kuci called for an intervention in the North similar to that of July 2011 which led to blockades of EULEX and KFOR in the North but Serbia criticized the statement as inflammatory and warned that it would just further tensions. KFOR is said to be monitoring the Kosovo Police's special riot unit (ROSU) in anticipation that there would be a police action Thursday or Friday.
Albanians reportedly began arming themselves for protection while the Kosovo government and international organizations called for calm. Deputy PM Hajredin Kuci called for an intervention in the North similar to that of July 2011 which led to blockades of EULEX and KFOR in the North but Serbia criticized the statement as inflammatory and warned that it would just further tensions. KFOR is said to be monitoring the Kosovo Police's special riot unit (ROSU) in anticipation that there would be a police action Thursday or Friday.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Explosion Kills One in North Mitrovica
An explosion outside an apartment in North Mitrovica's mixed neighborhood of Three Towers killed one Albanian man, Selver Haradinaj, and injured four of his children and wife on Sunday. Called a terrorist act and condemned by the Kosovo government, the explosion has heightened the tension that has already been high in the disputed North of Kosovo. In an alleged "response" to the killing of Hardinaj, three Albanians are said to have beaten a Serbian man who was returning home to the mixed village of Suvidoll.
Tensions have already been high between Albanians and Serbs since the announcement of Serbian elections in the North and the stoning of a Serbian convoy carrying members of the negotiating team in Pristina earlier in the week. No one was injured in the stoning but material damage was done to two of the vehicles in the convoy.
Tensions have already been high between Albanians and Serbs since the announcement of Serbian elections in the North and the stoning of a Serbian convoy carrying members of the negotiating team in Pristina earlier in the week. No one was injured in the stoning but material damage was done to two of the vehicles in the convoy.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Local News from Kosovo
Crime seems to be a big topic in the local news these days from the arrest of the anti-corruption prosecutor to the Klecka trial to an investigation being opened into former President Pacolli.
Prosecution will not present new evidence or revise indictment in Klecka Trial
A letter from EULEX prosecutor, Charles Hardaway, to the court has stated that the prosecution will not present any new evidence and will not revise the indictment as requested by the panel after its dismissal of the Witness X evidence. The letter also requests the panel to reverse the decision on the admissibility of the evidence of Agim Zogaj. In addition to the letter, a few days ago, EULEX prosecution requested that Limaj and the other remaining defendants be placed under house arrest citing flight risk and witness intimidation.
EULEX Conducting 90 Investigations into Organized Crime
EULEX Spokesperson Nicholas Hawthorne has stated that EULEX is currently conducting more than 90 investigations into corruption and organized crime. So far, EULEX has concluded a total of 46 cases but details of the results are not mentioned. While Hawthorne said that he would not provide any information on specific cases, perhaps the most widely known investigation is the MTPT, Ministry of Transport, Post and Telecomms, involving former Minister Fatmir Limaj, to which EULEX has until 23 April to issue an indictment before their time runs out. Another case that recently emerged is that of the head of the anti-corruption task force who was arrested a few days ago under suspicion of accepting bribes to drop charges.
Anti-Corruption Agency Launches Investigation into Behgjet Pacolli
A law exists on Kosovo books to prevent a conflict of interest between business and politics. Called the "Law on Preventing Conflict of Interest in Exercising Public Function" (Nr.04/L-051), the law essentially prevents politicians from being involved in business. It has long been rumored that along with the various recognitions that Pacolli has gotten for Kosovo's independence, he also has been making business deals with companies in those countries. One of the latest, Nigeria, is the alleged reason for the start of the investigation where Pacolli signed a business deal for a company called SEAGAS. No details of the case will be made until the proceedings are finalized.
Prosecution will not present new evidence or revise indictment in Klecka Trial
A letter from EULEX prosecutor, Charles Hardaway, to the court has stated that the prosecution will not present any new evidence and will not revise the indictment as requested by the panel after its dismissal of the Witness X evidence. The letter also requests the panel to reverse the decision on the admissibility of the evidence of Agim Zogaj. In addition to the letter, a few days ago, EULEX prosecution requested that Limaj and the other remaining defendants be placed under house arrest citing flight risk and witness intimidation.
EULEX Conducting 90 Investigations into Organized Crime
EULEX Spokesperson Nicholas Hawthorne has stated that EULEX is currently conducting more than 90 investigations into corruption and organized crime. So far, EULEX has concluded a total of 46 cases but details of the results are not mentioned. While Hawthorne said that he would not provide any information on specific cases, perhaps the most widely known investigation is the MTPT, Ministry of Transport, Post and Telecomms, involving former Minister Fatmir Limaj, to which EULEX has until 23 April to issue an indictment before their time runs out. Another case that recently emerged is that of the head of the anti-corruption task force who was arrested a few days ago under suspicion of accepting bribes to drop charges.
Anti-Corruption Agency Launches Investigation into Behgjet Pacolli
A law exists on Kosovo books to prevent a conflict of interest between business and politics. Called the "Law on Preventing Conflict of Interest in Exercising Public Function" (Nr.04/L-051), the law essentially prevents politicians from being involved in business. It has long been rumored that along with the various recognitions that Pacolli has gotten for Kosovo's independence, he also has been making business deals with companies in those countries. One of the latest, Nigeria, is the alleged reason for the start of the investigation where Pacolli signed a business deal for a company called SEAGAS. No details of the case will be made until the proceedings are finalized.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Arrested for...Corruption?!
The head of the anti-corruption task force, Nazmi Mustafa, created by Kosovo PM Haschim Thaci has been arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes in exchange for dropping corruption charges along with two other task force members.
I was traveling last week and didn't have the chance to pounce on this interesting local news..so here it is...
Mayor of Ferizaj Sentenced to Jail Time, Resigns, Extraordinary Elections Announced
The Supreme Court of Kosovo sentenced the mayor of Ferizaj, Bajrush Xhemajli, to two and half years in jail for a traffic accident that left one person dead and injured several others. Following his resignation, Kosovo President Jahjaga announced extraordinary elections to be held on 29 April for a new mayor.
I was traveling last week and didn't have the chance to pounce on this interesting local news..so here it is...
Mayor of Ferizaj Sentenced to Jail Time, Resigns, Extraordinary Elections Announced
The Supreme Court of Kosovo sentenced the mayor of Ferizaj, Bajrush Xhemajli, to two and half years in jail for a traffic accident that left one person dead and injured several others. Following his resignation, Kosovo President Jahjaga announced extraordinary elections to be held on 29 April for a new mayor.
Reciprocal Arrests?
Last week, five Serbs were arrested for transporting election material into Kosovo by the KPS. A few days ago, Serbian police allegedly crossed the boundary into Kosovo and arrested two KPS officers who were allegedly 130 meters within Kosovo (I say allegedly because the investigation into what really happened is ongoing and the political rhetoric is high.) However, Serbia released the KPS officers to EULEX on Monday, 02 April.
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