The code of hiding corruption

• The code of hiding corruption (Koha Ditore)
• Germany sends urgently troops in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
• Ivanovic: Local elections in the north damage Serbia (Express)
• Dell: Be tolerant (Express)

Kosovo Media Highlights

The code of hiding corruption (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Kosovo Assembly deputies have found a formula to keep silent journalists who report on politicians’ bribing, with articles 38,427 and 428 of the Penal Code. The new Penal Code endorsed at the Assembly, makes journalists, editors in chief and editors judicially responsible if the court concludes that revealing of information is necessary, to prevent a penal act, which could be sentenced with at least three years of jail or for the penal deed foreseen in article 427 which speaks on bribing. In this manner, if the journalist does not reveal the source who stated that he was asked bribe for a service, he could end up in jail. However if the media makes public the name of the source who spoke in condition of remaining anonymous, the source might end up in jail.

Koha Ditore reports that the same code does not penalize politicians for false statements, despite the request of the civil society.

Germany sends urgently troops in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Based on German media, Koha Ditore reports that Germany will urgently send reinforcement for the international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, KFOR. The upcoming Serbian elections have increased tensions in Kosovo, reported “Der Spiegel,” adding that 550 soldiers will be sent to Kosovo prior to Serbian elections on 6 May. 150 additional soldiers will be sent from Austria, due to the concerns for burst of violence in northern part of Kosovo, inhabited with Serb majority. According to this German daily, troops will be sent on 1 May. Currently, there are 5800 KFOR soldiers in Kosovo, from them 1300 are members of German Armed Forces.

Ivanovic: Local elections in the north damage Serbia (Express)
Oliver Ivanovic, state secretary in the Serbian Ministry for Kosovo, said the organization of Serbian local elections in some Kosovo municipalities on May 6th could be damaging for Serbia and that the latter will not recognize the results of elections in those municipalities. Ivanovic said that despite clear messages from Belgrade, municipalities like Zvecan and Zubin Potok are insisting to hold elections, “and this is only about party or individual interests and in no way about Serbia’s interests”. “Serbia will not recognize the results of these elections,” Ivanovic told Serbian state news agency Tanjug.

Dell: Be tolerant (Express)
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador Christopher Dell said on Saturday that the end of the supervisory phase of Kosovo’s independence will not imply the end of duties for European integration. During a conference in Gracanica, Dell said Kosovo has a lot more to do, paying special importance to the protection of minorities.

“Every day we see that a lot remains to be done for building a multiethnic and democratic Kosovo,” Dell said. “All Kosovo institutions must make clear their commitment for minority communities and show that Kosovo is truly the home of all those that live here.”