Downloading of the official who signaled to the MINT State Reserve scandal, KDI concerned about “setting up signals”

Kosovo's Democratic Institute has reacted after the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Retailer's decision to fire signal Ermal Kutlovci, an official of this ministry, who is involved in uncovering the scandal of this ministry with the State Reserve.

The “Taking on high public interest in the case of abuses with state reserves for which investigations are under way by relevant organs are essential for MINT to demonstrate that the decision to dismiss Kutlovci is based solely on disciplinary violations and does not come as a punitive response to its” signal activity, KDI wrote.

Full response:

) KDI: “signals must be protected, not persecuted”

Democratic Institute of Kosovo (KDI) is accompanying with concern recent developments to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Trade (MINT).

) Through the media it is understood that public signaler Ermal Kutlovci, involved in the discovery of the scandal related to the state <x0 state-run sub-reservations”, has faced disciplinary measures of escape, arguing that he violated duties and responsibilities within the institution.

Kutlovci, serving as an official responsible for the quality of oil and oil products at the State Reserve Department in MINT, has shown that he has repeatedly reported to his superiors, including the minister, on violations and irregularities regarding the state reserve supply.

) Taking on the high public interest in the case of abuses of state reserves for which investigations are being conducted by relevant organs is essential for MINT to demonstrate that the decision to sack Kutlovci is based solely on disciplinary violations and does not come as a punitive response to its signal activity.

) KDI calls for such punitive measures not to be uttered by instigation against employees who signal abuses and irregularities in the workplace, much less so when the same reports on issues affecting public interest. Signalrs in Kosovo have legally guaranteed protection from any harmful actions resulting from signalling.

The last KDI analysis published in December 2023, “ ( The implementation of the signal protection law in the executive sector” stresses that government institutions in general do not provide adequate physical infrastructure that would encourage public sector workers to signal on wrongdoing. This has been one of the main causes of domestic communication among some ministries to be minimal, or existential.