Government officials' statements interviewing Faton Peci reacts IKD: There are interference in justice

The continuation of the minister's statements on duty, Mrs. Geralla and Mrs. Haxhiu following the action taken by the Special Prosecution at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, offering institutional protection to persons subject to the investigation into corruptive relatives, seriously violates the values and principles of rule of law, good governance and promotes the culture of impunity”, the IKD's response said.

The IKD adds that statements of political acts labeling the prosecution's shares as “exacerbated” and such as “taken care of” are irresponsible and constitute an attempt to denigrate the work of SPRK prosecutors.

Such statements, as we have repeatedly said, constitute direct and unacceptable interventions in the justice system, undermine and endanger the prosecution's institutional independence, as well as violate public confidence not only in the institutions of justice but also the entire public system of the Republic of Kosovo. Such statements are contrary to calls and recommendations published in local and international reports requiring the independence of justice institutions and the principle of division of powers” to be respected further in response.

According to the Kosovo Institute for Justice, using the political position to personally attack prosecutors who are in charge of investigating corruption allegations is harmful practice that affects the division of powers and creates the dangerous precedent of impunity for senior officials of power.

The IKD points out that the practice of this kind conflicts with constitutional principles and with citizens' expectations of an independent and impartial justice system.

“On the other hand, such attacks set a poor example for citizens, especially in a context where building public confidence in institutions of justice is essential. Instead of guaranteeing transparency and co-operation with justice bodies, representatives of the incumbent government and the Guxo party have chosen the way of public confrontation to protect a minister from investigation”, it is said in response.

The point is that no matter what position an individual holds, no one is above the law.

Any allegations of abuse with public office must be investigated without interference and without political pressure. This approach represents respect for standards of good governance and does not imply prejudice of guilt. Mrs. Gervala poses efforts to intimidate and discredit the prosecution's organs, which pose a serious threat to the democratic functioning of institutions. The Kosovo Institute for Justice stresses that such attitudes pose a danger to the collapse of rule of law in the country. The stances of incumbent Minister and the Guxo Party make fighting corruption even more difficult, which the government Kurti 2 claimed to have prioritised”, has been said among other things in the IKD's response.

The IKD recalls that reform in justice cannot be done through pressures, attacks and links to prosecutors, but through real policies built on principles of institutional independence, transparency and accountability.

According to them, trying to delegate the prosecutor's work is not reform, but is a serious obstacle to it.

“We support all political actors, including the ruling party and ministers in office, to refrain from deignive statements to the justice system, allow the respective institutions to carry out their work independently and professionally and not use state institutions to protect personal or party interests. In a functional democracy, the prosecution should not be attacked but should be based on its work for justice”, said in response. /Periscope/