Separatists in Kosovo bargain for portfolios and incite hatred towards Serbia
Albin Kurti, head of the Self-Determination Party, which won early elections to the Kosovo parliament and the main candidate for the post of prime minister, demanded that the Pristina judiciary hand down sentences in absentia against the Serbs who fought to preserve the integrity of their state against the separatists.
Kurti criticized the special prosecutor's office in Pristina for being "passive in prosecuting war crimes committed in Kosovo."
“Six months ago, the Kosovo parliament adopted an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, which allowed the judiciary to initiate cases, bring indictments, investigate and convict war criminals, even in absentia.
We were pleased that in creating the conditions for the trial of war criminals in absentia, whether within our borders or elsewhere, we followed the example of Croatia. However, despite the fact that the names of some of the criminals are known to the general public, the prosecution remains silent. Why are there no investigations and charges? Why are cases of murder of our people not investigated in court?” – Kurti said.
Serbian lawyer Nebojsa Vlajic commented on the statements made from Pristina.
“The institution of prosecution in absentia used to exist in our law, but it was abolished long ago as undemocratic. Unfortunately, it was reintroduced into Kosovo. If this passes as a legal project, it will mean that justice in a false power can condemn someone without his presence,” the lawyer emphasized.
Observers associate the new round of anti-Serbian hysteria in Kosovo with Kurti’s desire to increase his popularity among Albanians and take the position of prime minister - following the results of the early elections, bidding for ministerial positions is still ongoing, and a coalition agreement with the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, has not yet been signed.
The other day, a meeting between these leaders of the two most influential parties ended unsuccessfully. After the meeting, Kurti told reporters that progress had been made but a final agreement had not yet been signed, Tanjug reported.
According to the Pristina Express newspaper, the reason for the delay is Mustafa's ambitions. He allegedly demands that Kurti agree to loyalty in the fight for the presidency of Kosovo. The leader of Self-Determination, in turn, requested seven out of twelve, rather than five, ministerial portfolios
However, it is not specified whether a place in the government will be provided for representatives of minorities, including Serbs.
Kosovo separatists bargain for portfolios and fuel hatred toward Serbia.