Media Round-Up: 05 February - 18 February 2021
The following media round up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period of 05 February - 18 February 2021. The Guernica Group will provide bi-weekly media updates with a focus Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia . Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
Belgrade Higher Court excuse Srebrenica defendant - 8 February 2021
Due to mental health problems, the Belgrade Higher Court has decided that ex-policeman Dragomir Parovic will not stand trial alongside his co-defendants. Dragomir Parovic and seven others are accused of participating in the killing of 1313 Bosniak civilians at a farm near Srebrenica in 1995.
https://balkaninsight.com/2021/02/08/srebrenica-defendant-with-psychological-problems-excused-from-trial/
Nasim Haradiniaj was ordered to stay in detention - 10 February 2021
The deputy leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans, Nasim Haradinaj, was ordered to stay in detention by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Hague.
https://balkaninsight.com/2021/02/10/kosovo-war-veterans-deputy-leader-denied-release-in-hague/
Kosovo election result - 16 February 2021
On Sunday's election, the Vetevedosje party scored 47.9 per cent, which is the highest any one party has ever reached. With this kind of win, Albin Kurti and Vjosa Osmani will have no problem forming a new government. Unfortunately, The PDK and The LDK suffered a significant loss, with only 17 and 13 per cent of the votes, which is the lowest result for the parties so far. This resulted in the leader of the LDK, Isa Mustafa, resigning from his post.
https://prishtinainsight.com/the-end-of-an-inglorious-era/
https://balkaninsight.com/2021/02/16/kurti-sets-his-priorities-following-kosovo-election-triumph/
Hashim Thaci Lawyer claims that the prosecution is obstructing their defence -16 February 2021
Defence lawyer David Hopper, states that the prosecution has disclosed that 124 witnesses are testifying but has not said what they will be talking about or how they are connected to the evidence. The Prosecutor Jack Smiths claims that if more information is given to soon, it might endanger the witnesses.
https://balkaninsight.com/2021/02/16/kosovo-ex-guerrillas-claim-prosecution-is-hampering-their-defence/
Kosovo Specialist Chambers might be moving to Pristina - 15 February 2021
In a private letter to the European diplomats in The Hague, Kosovo specialist Chambers president judge Ekaterina Trendafilova said that efforts are made to challenge the law that set up the Specialist Chambers in 2015. And efforts are being made to move the chambers to Kosovo. Ekaterina Trendafilova feels that if that is to happen, it will put witnesses and prosecutors in danger.
https://www.euronews.com/2021/02/15/kosovo-could-try-to-move-war-crimes-court-to-pristina-judge-warns
New president elected of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council - 10 February 2021
Halil Lagumdzija was appointed last week, President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council in Bosna and Herzegovina. Among other candidates was Judge Srdan Forca from Banja Luka. Halil Lagumdzija received eight votes in the second round.
http://www.sarajevotimes.com/halil-lagumdzija-elected-new-president-of-high-judicial-and-prosecutorial-council-bih/
The BiH court indicted a man for organising Terrorist Group in Syria - 8 February 2021
Jahja Vukovic was indicted by the Court of Bosnia and Hercegovina on the 14 January 2021, with the commission of the criminal offence of Organising a Terrorist group under article 202d. The indictment claims the accused joined the terrorist group "Jabhat al-Nusra Front" after he left BiH in 2014.
http://www.sarajevotimes.com/court-of-bih-confirms-indictment-against-jahja-vukovic-for-organization-of-terrorist-group/
The BiH Court sentenced Cameroonian Man to 13 months imprisonment - 7 February 2021
The accused Jackson Ndip pleaded guilty to smuggling of persons and organising a group for smuggling migrants from Cameroon through Bosnia into EU countries.
http://www.sarajevotimes.com/bih-court-sentenced-one-person-of-13-months-in-prison-for-smuggling-of-migrants/
Montenegro Appeal Court annulus verdict on the "plot coup" trial - 5 February 2021
In May 2019 the Montenegro High Court found 13 suspects guilty of attempting to overthrow the former government in 2016. The Appeal Court began hearings on the defence appeal in September 2019. The Appeal Court has now asked the High Court for a retrial.
https://balkaninsight.com/2021/02/05/montenegro-appeal-court-strikes-down-coup-plot-verdicts/
Special State Prosecutor accused of halting investigations - 15 February 2021
Milivoje Katnic, Montenegro's Special State Prosecutor, has been accused of illegal acts during investigations into former ruling Party Officials. On the 3rd of February a new Law was proposed on the Prosecution for Organised Crime and Corruption, that would make way to dismiss Milovoje Katnic.
https://balkaninsight.com/2021/02/15/montenegrin-special-prosecutor-accused-of-protecting-former-officials/