12 minutes agoDirectors of Serbian institutions in Kosovo released from custody
Periskopi(5 days ago)
(5 days ago)The foundation court in Pristina has removed the month-long detention measure from directors of educational and health institutions operating in Kosovo under Serbia's system, which the Prosecution charges with the work of influence on the free will of voters.
Kosovo held early parliamentary elections on 7 June.
“They will be protected in freedom”, the lawyer of one of the suspects, Jovana Fillipovic, confirmed to Radio Europe Free (REL).
The court had initially assigned the detention measure on 21 May, with the argument that there is real danger that the defendants, if released, could avoid criminal responsibility or repeat criminal work.
The arrest of directors of Serbian institutions in Kosovo came after party leader for Freedom, Justice and Survival Nenad Rassic accused the Serbian List of exercising pressure and blackmailing his supporters.
He confirmed that around 20 people who back him have been fired from these Serbian institutions and that in the coming period, about 40 other people are expected to make a decision on their dismissal only on the territory of the Gracanica municipality.
The detention ban was ordered for Lubisa Karadzic, director of the “Mildin Mitiq” in Llapna Sele; Boban Petrovic, director of the Electronic Middle School in Sushica; Milica Disimuni, primary school director “Braqa Akekq” in Lipjan; Nebojsa Rassic, director of the Machine School in Preoc; Bratislav Laziq, director of the Clinical-Sping Centre in Gracanica; Mirjana Dimitrijevic, director of the House of Health in Gracanica; Sasa Mladenov, director of the Health House in Low August.
Radio Free Europe (REL) has also published confessions of some who said they have left work because they do not support the Serbian List, but Rashis' party. They had been employed for decades in Serbia's health and educational institutions in Kosovo, which in recent years are largely controlled by the Serb List ʹ the largest party of Serbs in Kosovo to enjoy Belgrade's support.
On the other hand, the Serbian List has denied those charges, saying it was a “persecution and intimidation”.
Meanwhile, in a response to Radio Free Europe, the European Union has indicated that its mission to rule of law in Kosovo, EULEX, is monitoring this case on the ground and that it expects a new <x0 legal procedure throughout the entire procedure, in line with Kosovo laws and the” international standards.
Kosovo authorities have welcomed the Kosovo Prosecutor's response, while Serbia's officials have assessed that the arrests have been politically motivated.
