Special arrests, crackdown on political parties

Some of the political subjects have been without key figures since the first week of November, when special investigators arrested Kadri Veselini, who held the post PDK chairman Rexhep Selimin chief of deputies of the largest opposition party, and Jakup Krasniqi one of the founders of the Social Democracy Initiative.

Three Kosovo politicians, including the country's former president, are being held in custody at The Hague, while in Kosovo their co-partisans are continuing their work.

Betim Djoshi, a member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo's leadership, tells Kosovo Press that the party chief's going to The Hague is a big blow to this political subject.

“Lander of the Democratic Party has long led the party, this is a blow for The PDK but we with work and commitment will be able to fill this gap that has been created as a result of this circumstance. We expect that as soon as we are joined in the event, following the completion of procedures at The Hague”, Djoshi says.

While, the Vetevendosje Movement has remained without one of the most active persons in the party, parliamentary group chief Rexhep Selimin.

Vetevendosje Movement Deputy Chairman Besnik Bislimi, in an interview given for Kosova Preress, says events with the Special could harm the work within the Movement, but also negatively affect the elections.

“may be damaging to us maybe our work inside, but with an impact on the elections, rather, the way Rexhep Selimi went, the way Rexhep Selimi was introduced at the first hearing there, I think he only has to market even more the commitment of Vetevendosje Movement and strengthen us. Rexhep Selimi has been going for days and said I'm going to protect myself. KLA there”, he said.

Bislimi says that citizens who have believed Selimi vote while he has worked on the field now have an additional argument to support the subject in which Rexhep Selimi participated.

And according to politicalologist Ramush Tahiri, arrests by the Special will greatly impact the political scene in Kosovo.

“The arrests made by the Special Court for top political party leaders affect political life in Kosovo, because their lack is felt, and because their influence was great, and because parties for moral and other reasons refuse a form of voting and functioned with duty fraud or in the hope of returning quickly, it does not actually enter the elections”, he says.

He adds that events with Specialised Chambers also affect the ruling coalition, since those arrested have led important parties and institutions in Kosovo.

The first week of November in Kosovo was marked by arrests and raids on the homes of the main KLA General Staff.

Special investigators in co-operation with EULEX police sent Hashim Thaci, who until that day headed the presidency, the institution that is now under the direction of Vjosa Osmani, the task leader of the president's post.