Government Minister Kurti made offer for political adviser, corruption accused

The new defence minister, Anton Quinn, has offered the position of political adviser, former Prime Minister Rrustem Berisha, who has an accusation he charges with misusing the official position.

On the occasion of accepting the minister's office, Anton Quinn, who comes from the LDK ranks, has offered the position of adviser, former minister of this dictatorship, Rrustem Berisha, coming from the AAK ranks.

Quani and Berisha, otherwise, have also been collaborators in the “Agim Ramadani” brigade, which had held command positions.

But, Berisha, who has been defence minister to this day, has long been charged with one count in the case known as “Vecerians”, reports the “Justice Trust”.

The “Vetevendosje” and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) had kept the promise given during the pre-election campaign, while not running any person for MP who has an indictment for corruption.

These two parties had also pledged that neither in the cabinet would they appoint officials to be charged with criminal acts of corruption.

Upon accepting the minister's post Wednesday, Anton Quinn has asked former minister Rrustem Berisha to become senior political adviser.

I would ask you to be my closest associate, my top political adviser on future issues. No matter what the moments, positions of responsibility, my friend has always addressed you with the title commander. It's been 22 years since we've known each other, and there have been situations during the war that we've delegated. I'm accepting a task from a friend of mine in whom I have a lot of confidence in the good things he did during the war, and after the war, Mahx1>, Quinn said.

The former minister, Rrustem Berisha, has declared he would accept such a position, expressing honour with such an offer.

Contacted by “Justice Trust”, former Prime Minister Berisha, has said he has not yet decided on such an offer, but has added that he will consider it in the days ahead.

The “Justice Vow” has also tried to contact Minister Quinn, but he has not responded to calls.

The executive director of the Kosovo Institute for Justice (IKD), Ehat Miftaraj, has said the new government should not appoint any officials to its cabinet, which is charged with alleged corruption.

The Kurti government successfully passed the first challenge, not even a member of the government cabinet with an indictment for corruption. Well done! Challenge two will be not even a deputy minister accused of corruption. It remains to be seen! The challenge three will be not even an adviser to the government and the ministries of the line not to be charged with corruption as well! It seems very soon one accused of corruption will be appointed adviser to a ministry. You can't! Good government and clean hands!” wrote Miftaraj on the social network “facebook”.

In the case known as “Veterians”, along with Rrustem Berisha for misuse of official position or authority, former Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku, AAK deputy Shkumbin Demalijaj are also charged, as well as nine other people.

They are accused of being part of the Government Commission for the recognition and Verification of the Status of the Nation Witness, Invaledit, veterani, Partitarian, and KLA War Interent. /Betimy for Justice