State prosecutor opens investigation into Rikallos, but there is no ruling

The State Prosecutor has opened criminal proceedings after information received from the media in the case of new Agriculture Minister Nenad Ricalo.

State Chief Prosecutor Aleksandar Lumezi, however, said they have not yet issued any decision to launch investigations to Minister Ricalo.

The state's “Procurory has opened the criminal procedure, following information received in the media, but we have not yet made any decision to start the investigation”, Lumez said.

He said that after the criminal procedure action company, then the State Prosecutor will assess whether there are elements for other regulations and the continuation of other phases of the investigation.

According to him, this phase will highlight whether claims made in the media stand and have elements for criminal acts, or are simply for political influence.

Weeks ago, residents of a building at the “Kurrizi” complex in Pristina's Dardania neighbourhood have accused the newly appointed Agriculture Minister in the Government of Kosovo, Nenad Rikalo, of mistreating and torturing many Albanian citizens during the war in Kosovo in 1999.

Nenad Ricalo is part of the Serbian List. Prior to the appointment in the minister's position, he was a member of the Central Election Commission.