Abelard Tahiri responds to the American ambassador

Costett has written that Tahiri has signed the release of a 15-year prison sentence for war crimes in the case known as the Kukes Act.

And through a statement, Justice Minister Abelard Tahiri has reacted to clarifying public opinion about media reporting in reference to the US Ambassador's quote in Kosovo, Costet, about news of suspending detention in a cited case.

In this reaction Tahiri has said that the justice ministry has no legal authority to free itself from the suffering of punishment, or suspending the sentence for any person.

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Minister Tahiri's full statement:

As minister of justice of the Republic of Kosovo, I understand and associate with the goodwill of our strategic partners for empowering the rule of law, with particular emphasis on the United States of America, which through numerous programmes have been and are strongly supportive of the reforms we have undertaken and continue to advance within the justice system.

But today I have encountered news referring to the American ambassador to Kosovo, Mr. Costnett, who has completely misquoted the competencies that the Ministry I am leading, in case of reporting a prison suspension decision that has been made to a certain individual.

I would like to clarify the broad opinion, Ambassador Costnet and respected media that the Ministry of Justice has no legal authority to free itself from punishment, or suspend punishment for any person.

The only competence that connects the Ministry of Justice with convicted persons is management with the Correcting Centers, which, in any circumstances related to the release or maintenance of persons convicted within prisons, implement independent organ decisions, respectively, as is common in the states where rule order and law.

I request and invite the generators of this news, as well as Ambassador Costnet, to have precise legal reference to procedures that are followed to release or keep someone inside corrective centres.

After verifying these procedures, I believe they will have it clear that the launched news has no link whatsoever to the minister and the Ministry of Justice.

Finally, I want to assure our citizens and partners, that the consolidation of the rule of law and the reforms that make it possible, we are constantly contributing and we will continue to contribute, constantly counting on their help.