Did Kurti ignore the order to appear before the Special Prosecution? The Prime Minister's Office reacts: He did not refuse to testify

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has ignored the order of the Basic Court of Pristina to appear for an interview at the Special Prosecution Office.

Au had to give evidence regarding state reserves. 

The Prime Minister's Office has issued a clarification stating that "These days, a public debate has arisen on an issue that should not have been politicized: the Prime Minister's testimony regarding state reserves."

"During this time, we have been faced with a wave of disinformation and attempts to fabricate a false perception of this process. Therefore, it is important to clarify the facts and defend the principles of a just and democratic society. Our lack of reaction so far has not been a lack of attention, but respect for the legal process that must take place without external interference. However, it has become clear that we are facing an open attempt to manipulate and confuse public opinion ," the reaction states.

It is further emphasized that Prime Minister Kurti has never refused to testify.

"We want to be clear: Prime Minister Kurti has never refused to testify. On the contrary, he has offered full cooperation to help justice do its job with integrity.
The readiness and willingness to give evidence has been offered on several occasions and at different times in the Prime Minister's Office. In all developed democracies, including the US and France, it is standard practice for senior state officials to testify from their offices, to maintain discretion and avoid politicization of legal processes. The same principle has been applied in Kosovo, at least in the case of two former prime ministers and even the current deputy prime minister! So, why is an exception being made in this case? Why this unnecessary insistence on a procedural formality that has no impact on the essence of the case?", the reaction continues.

Among other things, it is emphasized that the Prime Minister continues to be willing to testify - the sooner, the better, for the purposes of justice and respect for institutions.

"Our government has brought about major reforms, especially in government transparency and the fight against corruption, which have been recognized and praised by independent international organizations such as Transparency International. We strongly support the independence of the judicial system, but reject its use as a tool for political gain ," the response states.

According to them, never in post-war Kosovo have there been more efforts to reform justice, starting from the package of anti-corruption laws to the State Bureau for the Confiscation of Unjustified Assets.

"With all the efforts to stop the much-needed reform of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council and to eradicate corporatism in this system, the reform will be done and implemented.
It is not and cannot be the duty of anyone, especially the chambers of commerce and economics, to provide legal opinions or influence judicial processes. Businesses and economic organizations have an important role in the development of the country. Our government has been a strong ally of their work by providing institutional and political stability and promoting economic growth, which has led to the doubling of foreign direct investment over the last four years ," it says, among other things.