Kosovo: Kurti Doesn't Show, Trial Postponed Again

Pristina | 16 April 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Albin Kurti, leader of Vetevendosje, says his movement could take part in elections

Kosovo police failed to bring Vetevendosje [Self-determination] leader Albin Kurti to the District Court of Pristina today. As a result Kurti's trial was postponed yet again; it scheduled to resume Monday, April 19.

EULEX, the EU rule-of-law mission, also said that the appointed ex officio lawyers did not show up at the courthouse, thereby violating their official duties.

“The court will issue a new order to compel Albin Kurti to be present for the next hearing,” the EULEX press release reads.

“The court will send the papers to the Kosovo Bar Association for the necessary steps to be taken in order to address the disciplinary infringements which were committed during the hearing.”

The trial has already been postponed on a number of occasions. Kurti was not present at yesterday’s hearing either, and the trial was pushed to today.

Vetevendosje activists claim that Kurti is not hiding and that he is continuing to work normally. This was the seventh attempt of the court to bring Kurti to trial.

The Prosecution is represented by a prosecutor from the Special Prosecution Office.

Three of the top ranking EU officials in Kosovo, Pieter Feith, the EU Special Representative in Kosovo; Yves de Kermabon, the Head of Mission EULEX Kosovo; and Renzo Daviddi, the Head of EC Liasion Office to Kosovo, issued a statement today condemning the attack on Kurti's former defence attorney, who was egged while entering the courtroom yesterday to tender his resignation.

In the statement: the three officials said: “We strongly condemn the attack yesterday on the lawyer in the Albin Kurti case, Mr. Avni Gjakova.

“It is vitally important for the rule of law that institutions and those who have the duty to work within them are able to work without political interference, disruption or violence. Respect for institutions and those who serve in them is a fundamental principle of the rule of law in a democratic society and a core European value.

“We call upon local authorities to protect the independence of the judiciary as part of the consolidation of the rule of law and advancing Kosovo’s progress toward a European future.”