Muharremaj and Kurteshi sit at the dock of accused of throwing tear gas

Vetevendosje Movement MP Ismajl Kurteshi, as well as Suhareka Community Chairman Bali Muharremaj, have sat at the dock for indictees to face prosecution charges of dropping tear gas in the Kosovo Assembly.

At the initial session, held at the Constitutional Court in Pristina on Tuesday, accused Muarremaj has stated it is true that he has thrown tear gas and violated the Parliament's rules, but has said he does not accept guilt.

Even the other accused Kurteshi has said he threw tear gas, but these actions, according to him, have been done for political reasons.

With the date that's marked in the indictment I as an MP have thrown tear gas for political reasons, and I believe it was a duty to protect the country's sovereignty and integrity and I don't think I've done it, but I have fulfilled my obligation as MP”, Kurteshi has declared.

The judge, the judge, Hamdi, Abraham, informed the accused and their defenders that in 30 days they would be able to dispute about the throwing of the charge and the evidence.

Muharremaj's Kurteshi is accused of using weapons or dangerous means, at the time they were in opposition to the country's legislature, when through these forms they rejected the government's two agreements, the one for demarcation with Montenegro, as well as the Association of Serb majority municipalities.

The Act against them was established on June 7th of last year. According to the indictment, on February 26, 2016, in the Kosovo Assembly have used weapons and prevented official persons, and each has already thrown tear gas.

Otherwise, Ismail Kurteshi is charged in the same criminal act in another case together with Kosovo Initiative MP Haxhi Shala.

Days earlier, the Constitutional Court in Pristina had confirmed the indictment also against the other deputy of <x0vendosje”, Ismaili Ismaili, who is accused of two criminal acts “obstructing the official person during the performance of the official task” and “ownership control, or unauthorized possession of weapons”.

In contrast, the Constitutional Court in Pristina, for the same criminal acts, on 3 January 2018, has convicted MPs Albin Kurti, Donika Cadaj-Bujupi, Albulen Haxhiu and Faton Topalli, who had sentenced them to prison on parole.

For dropping gas in the Kosovo Assembly, Minister of Infrastructural Pal Lekaj is also charged, as well as Albanian deputies Pristina, Time Kadrijaj, Glauk Konjufca, Aida Dorgi, and Teuta Haxhiu.

These actions have been taken during 2015 and 2016, in the case of opposition to the demarcation agreement with Montenegro, as well as the agreement on establishing the majority Serbian Commission Association. The accused were part of the opposition bloc Vetevendosje, AAK and the Initiative for Kosovo, until the executive was led by the PDK and the LDK. /Justice Trust/