EU office in Kosovo after prosecutor’s resignation: Statements of some politicians and prosecutors undermine the key principles of the rule of law

The EU office in Kosovo, today, called „upon all“ to refrain from any attacks against rule of law institutions in Kosovo including any personal and defamatory comments against individual prosecutors or judges. The EU office in Kosovo issued a press release after the special prosecutor Elez Blakaj resigned due to threats, as he claimed. Harsh criticism followed from Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Chief Prosecutor Alexander Lumezi.

„The EU is closely following the case of prosecutor Elez Blakaj. The independence and autonomy of the judiciary, including the prosecution, is of crucial importance in this context and must be ensured. Statements of some politicians and prosecutors of Kosovo in this regard undermine the key principles of the rule of law. Furthermore, they also send discouraging signals to all judicial officials dealing with sensitive and important cases. The EU reiterates that pending investigations should be carried forward with professionalism and in full respect of the rule of law, free from any interference“ – the EU stated also.

Blakaj investigated the illegal acquisition of the status of veterans of the Kosovo Liberation Army. He discovered that there are over 19,000 such cases.

In an indictment with his signature, which was not submitted to the court, the whole Verification Commission of veterans of the Kosovo Government, i.e. the highest officials of the Haradinaj’s party, the Alliance for Kosovo’s Future, and the Democratic Party of Kosovo headed by the president of the Kosovo Assembly Kadri Veseli.

Blakaj resigned, as the media first reported, due to threats while working on the indictment. The claim was denied by his superior, the head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, Reshat Milak, who claimed that Blakaj left the job due to a business offer in America.

Blakaj, however, sent an open letter accusing the highest judicial officers. He stated that he received threats, claiming that he had no one to report them to.

The Kosovo Chief Prosecutor Alexander Lumezi, as well as the Kosovo Prime Minister, came up with strong criticisms on behalf of Blakaj.

Haradinaj called him a „thief“, saying that he could not investigate the issue of veterans because he was in Macedonia during the war, i.e. because he „escaped“ to refugee camps.

In Pristina at 18.00h a protest will be held by the initiative „Protestoj“. They demand Lumezi’s resignation, as well as a verification process in the judicial system.