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Assembly Elects Speaker Amidst Key Sentencings and Trial Developments

In a significant political development, Albulena Haxhiu has been re-elected as the Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly by a majority vote, bringing a resolution to the previously reported efforts to elect a speaker. The constituent session has been postponed until Friday, while Prime Minister Albin Kurti has initiated discussions with opposition leaders Bedri Hamza and Lumir Abdixhiku to agree on the election of deputy speakers.

The country's judiciary saw major activity with former Minister Pal Lekaj sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for his involvement in the '53 Million' case. Concurrently, closing statements have commenced in the trial of former President Hashim Thaçi, who faces accusations of obstructing justice.

Other notable events include the appointment of Kreshnik Kaçi as the head of Administrative Courts, an arrest of a doctor in Leposaviq for failing to report a death, and the transfer of an arms trafficker from Albania to Kosovo, alongside an extradition from Germany. Local concerns persist with Drenas experiencing a multi-day water shortage, prompting Mayor Lladrovci to threaten legal action, while a ministry has invested 2.3 million in the municipality's localities.

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Assembly Elects Speaker, Seeks Deputy Speaker Agreement

Albulena Haxhiu has been re-elected as the Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly, with the constituent session now postponed until Friday. In parallel, Prime Minister Albin Kurti has reached out to Bedri Hamza, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, and Lumir Abdixhiku, President of the Democratic League of Kosovo, to discuss and agree on the election of deputy speakers for the Assembly.

Former Minister Sentenced, Thaçi Trial Closing Statements Begin

Former Minister Pal Lekaj has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison in connection with the '53 Million' corruption case, where he and others were found guilty again. Concurrently, the process of presenting closing statements has begun in the trial of former President Hashim Thaçi, who is accused of obstructing justice.

Judicial Appointments and Legal System Insights

Kreshnik Kaçi has been appointed as the new head of the Administrative Courts, marking a significant change in the judicial leadership. Further discussions are also ongoing regarding the administration of justice and the reasons behind the constitution of certain courts.

Law Enforcement Actions and Criminal Cases

A doctor in Leposaviq has been arrested for failing to report a woman's death to the police. In other law enforcement news, an individual convicted of arms trafficking has been transferred from Albania to Kosovo, and another suspect in a criminal case has been extradited from Germany. Additionally, a bus passenger was caught transporting over two kilograms of marijuana at Vermicë, and a person struck a police officer with a car during a control in Bernjak.

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