BIRN Kosovo News and Events

The decision of the Kosovo Government to stop river grit exploitation is not being fully implemented because of the lack of inspectors. There were some cases where the inspectors were threatened. One of these inspectors is Refki Morina who was forced to take a vacation because he was threatened by Arben Rrustemi. Arben Rrustemi is one of the persons who exploited grit without a license from the Independent Commission of Mines and Minerals.  

In April, “Justice in Kosovo” reported that a number of sentenced persons that were sentenced to prison were transported illegally and were not sent to the correction center. Concerns were raised after the suspects found out that the court lacked evidence that they were sent to the correction center. Two months after this report, “Justice in Kosovo” found out that the Kosovo Judicial Council asked the corrections service to verify if they were sentenced to the correction center. From this verification, it was found out that around 50 sentenced individuals were not sent to the correction center.

On April 14, “Justice in Kosovo” discussed the irregularities of the prison in Prizren.

On May 23, Justice in Kosovo discussed the sentence of Nazmi Mustafi.

On May 19, 2013, Justice in Kosovo discussed the conflict between the Police of Kosovo and the Prosecution. In the end, Justice in Kosovo broadcasts the report about how the disciplinary commission in the Kosovo Lawyers’ Chamber operates.

The Basic Court sentenced five people to 20 years in prison for organized crimes and bodily injuries in relation to Medicus, the clinic where many kidney transplants were done.

On April 14, “Justice in Kosovo” discussed thefts.

On April, 7 “Justice in Kosovo” discussed the misuse of the statutory limitations.

“Justice in Kosovo” interviewed three EULEX prosecutors to acknowledge their work and achievements in combating serious crimes in Kosovo.

Krusha e Vogel is the place where one of the most horrible massacres took place during the war in the 1990s. One-hundred-thirteen civilians were killed; 86 of the bodies have not been found yet and the assumptions are that they were cremated or thrown in the river Drini i Bardhe. One of the survivors’ said that the entire village ran to the mountains since Serbian forces surrounded them. They were separated in two groups: men, women and children; all men and boys as young as 13 were killed.

“Justice in Kosovo” discussed the elections of the Kosovo Judicial Council, KJC.

On March 10, 2013, “Justice in Kosovo” discussed the elections in Kosovo Judicial Council.

On February 24, 2013, “Justice in Kosovo” discussed the case of Bajrush Xhemajli.

On January 13, 2013, “Justice in Kosovo” discussed the problems of the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates.

On December 28, 2012, the municipality of Prizren published a contract notice for “supply of food items to the members of Parliament and civil servants of the municipal administration of the city of Prizren,” according to which the interested economic operators should have submitted their documents before January 7, 2013, at 3pm. The tender, according to the laws in power, was open until January 8, 2013. Moreover, the contract notice of Ben-Af Company was issued on January 23, 2013 with the total value of 43,600 Euros or 100 Euros per person. Surprisingly, the entire administration, including Ramadan Muja, the mayor of Prizren, were caught shopping on the New Year’s Eve at the Ben-af  shopping centre . This showed that the tender was being implemented before it was supposed to be closed.