Kosovo — FrontPages.eu

Acting Minister Sentenced for Tear Gas Incident; KLA Verdict Nears

Get European news in your inbox daily

A short daily digest of the whole continent — or just the countries you care about.

Choose individual countries instead (or as well)

Kosovo's political landscape is marked by a significant legal development as Acting Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla has been handed a one-year suspended prison sentence by the Basic Court of Pristina. The verdict relates to an incident involving tear gas during an Assembly session. This comes amidst ongoing political maneuvering and an approaching verdict, set for September 16, for former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders in a separate, high-profile trial.

The country continues to navigate a presidential crisis, with little expectation of a change in stance from certain Democratic League of Kosovo Members of Parliament regarding the presidential election. Meanwhile, Kosovo is deepening its international engagement, officially joining an international force for Gaza and signing an agreement for the Kosovo Security Force's participation in a mission there.

In a positive development, the first direct flight between Rome and Pristina has been launched, fostering closer ties with Italy. However, domestic concerns persist with police investigating the deaths of minors in separate incidents and a significant seizure of weapons, ammunition, and cocaine in Mitrovicë during Operation 'Twilight'.

Top stories

Acting Minister Sentenced for Tear Gas Incident

Acting Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla has been sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term by the Basic Court of Pristina. The verdict is in connection with a tear gas incident that occurred during an Assembly session. Sveçla was not present for the verdict and had previously pleaded not guilty, characterizing his actions as political opposition to a border demarcation agreement.

KLA War Crimes Verdict Nears

The Special Court is approaching its verdict for former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders, with the decision expected on September 16. This highly anticipated ruling is anticipated to have a significant impact on the region.

Deepening International Engagement and Security

Kosovo is increasing its involvement in international security efforts, officially joining an international force for Gaza. An agreement has also been signed for the Kosovo Security Force's participation in a mission in Gaza, following the arrival of the ISF Commander in Kosovo. Furthermore, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama met with the new head of EULEX in Pristina to discuss security and the rule of law, underscoring regional cooperation.

Kallxo Kosovo Officially Joins International Force for Gaza ↗
Koha Ditore American Presence in Kosovo ↗
Gazeta Express ISF Commander arrives in Kosovo, agreement signed for KSF participation in… ↗
Gazeta Express Rama meets new head of EULEX to discuss security and rule of law ↗

Ongoing Presidential Impasse

Gazmend Haziri expressed skepticism about the likelihood of six Democratic League of Kosovo Members of Parliament changing their stance on the election of the president, indicating a continued political deadlock over the issue.

Gazeta Express Haziri: Little chance LDK MPs will change stance on president ↗

Domestic Crime and Investigations

Authorities are investigating two tragic deaths involving minors in separate incidents in Prizren and Rahovec. Additionally, Operation 'Twilight' in Mitrovicë led to the seizure of weapons, ammunition, and cocaine from a house and a business.

Koha Ditore Prizren Police Investigate Infant's Death ↗
Kallxo Operation 'Twilight': Weapons, Ammunition, and Cocaine Seized in Mitrovicë ↗
Gazeta Express Serious incident in Rahovec: Minor dies after being shot, police investigate ↗

International Condemnation of Mladić Glorification

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, along with US Congressman Joe Wilson, have strongly condemned the glorification of Ratko Mladić, describing the funeral scenes in Belgrade as shocking and unacceptable. Wilson further criticized the event as a gathering of 'bandits'.