Interparty clashes extend the establishment of the investigative Commission for six jihadists

The formation of the investigative Commission for the expulsion of Turkish citizens from Kosovo, which has emerged as a recommendation approved by the Assembly of Kosovo on 17 April, has not yet happened.

The Democratic League of Kosovo and the Democratic Party of Kosovo are exchanging accusations against each other for procrastinating the formation of this commission.

The investigative commission, which has been proposed by the Democratic League of Kosovo and has received the support of parliamentary parties, is designed to investigate and illuminate the circumstances and procedures of the expulsion of six Turkish citizens from Kosovo to Turkey on 29 March of this year.

Driton Selmanaj, MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo, this opposition party, tells Radio Free Europe that the actions of the Democratic Party of Kosovo have influenced the procrastination of the investigative Commission.

They're entering the procedural mazes, saying first that if you vote the other points, we vote on it, and so on. It means, you see a fear of truth and a tendency to prevent the establishment of this commission. Other parties have sent names on who will be members of this commission, except PDK's”, Selmanaj said.

But, Memli Krasniqi, chief of the Democratic Party of Kosovo Parliamentary Group, this ruling party, speaking of Radio Free Europe, rejects claims that the subject he belongs to, is dragging the formation of the investigative Commission. As he says, the Democratic League of Kosovo itself, although it has proposed forming this commission and receiving the support of parliamentary groups, has removed it from the agenda in the Kosovo Assembly.

“The PDK has submitted its representatives' names to the investigative Commission since the session recommendation was voted on. The commission has been in line to be voted into session. But because of some of the differences we had on our agendas, as a response, the Democratic League of Kosovo has drawn it completely from the agenda and the vote, proposing that we do it in a different form, which really doesn't change very much, only once again is needed from the start”, Krasniqi said.

That the Democratic League of Kosovo will once again approach the formation of the investigative Commission, deputy Selmanaj confirms.

“Based on the law on parliamentary investigations, if 40 signatures (the MPs) are collected to establish an investigative commission, then the Parliament necessarily establishes that commission. Now, we've collected 40 signatures, processed them in the Assembly, and now we expect it to be very soon at the next session and the Assembly to establish the” commission, Selmanaj stressed.

On the other hand, MP Krasniqi says Kosovo's Democratic Patyta is ready to be part of the investigative Commission and calls the delay in forming it unnecessary.

We have two representatives who can still be renamed in case the LDK really wants to do it through another form, in accordance with the regulation, this commission. But the truth is, this commission, according to regulations, has to be repeated and brought into session. It's kind of pointless why they pulled the Commission out of session, which will then be back in session. It's just an unnecessary delay”, Krasniqi said.

The deportation of six Turkish citizens from Kosovo to Turkey was a co-ordinated action between intelligence services from Turkey and Kosovo. Five of the Turkish citizens expelled from Kosovo were school employees “Mehmet Akif” in Kosovo, owned by Turkish cleric Fetullah Gulen, meanwhile the sixth person was a Turkish doctor.

MPs, the president, prime minister and speaker of the Parliament had declared they had no knowledge of the case.

Prime Minister Haradinaj had relieved Interior Minister Flamur Sefaj and Kosovo Intelligence Agency chief Driton Gashi, who have later resigned from their positions.