The following media round up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 3 June to 9 June 2022.
Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia . Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration
Kosovo – 3 June 2022
The Kosovo Police announced that a Serb has been arrested near the western town of Istog/Istok for allegedly committing a war crime against the civilian population during the 1998-99 conflict. The police did not name the suspect but the Serbian government’s office for Kosovo identified him as Caslav Jolic. The full article can be found here.
Kosovo – 6 June 2022
Allegations of judicial interference and political pressure convulsed the European Union’s rule-of-law mission in Kosovo as a British lawyer, who became a powerful judge despite lacking the required legal credentials, was fired for misconduct. The full article can be found here.
Bosnia and Hercegovina – 6 June 2022
Bosnian war survivors and international organisations criticised a decision by Sarajevo’s Novi Grad municipality to name a street after general Mehmed Alagic who died before the end of his trial at the Hague Tribunal. The full article can be found here.
Serbia – 8 June 2022
Belgrade Higher Court confirmed the indictment of four high-ranking Croatian Army members for committing war crimes against civilians during Operation Storm back in August 1995. The full article can be found here.
Montenegro – 8 June 2022
Podgorica-based NGO LGBT Forum Progress brought a legal case against the state of Montenegro at the local court for alleged discrimination against same-sex couples who married abroad. The full article can be found here.
Kosovo – 9 June 2022
The Pre-Trial Judge at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, Nicolas Guillou, decided that Hashim Thaçi and Kadri Veseli should remain in detention ahead of their trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the 1998-99 conflict. The full article can be found here.
Montenegro – 9 June 2022
Montenegrin watchdog organisations called on the government to improve legal amendments to the draft Law on Confiscation of Proceeds of Crime before sending it to Parliament. The full article can be found here.
Albania – 9 June 2022
Socialist Party MPs in Albania said that an opposition request to investigate controversial strategic investments in the country’s coastal areas should be rejected on a technicality, arguing that supporting signatures were not collected in a proper way. The full article can be found here.