The Special Prosecutor’s Office of Kosovo is expected to file charges against the current minister in Albin Kurti’s government, Rozeta Hajdari, regarding the state reserves scandal.
Reliable sources told Periskop that the indictment could be raised “today or at the latest early next week.”
State reserves became a headline scandal in August 2023, amid allegations of their misuse. Several individuals, including employees of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship, and Trade, headed by Hajdari, were arrested.
Raids and arrests followed the release of audio recordings suggesting that oil contracted and paid for in Poland for Kosovo’s state reserves never arrived, similarly with wheat reserves. The owner of the restaurant “Bukë e Zemër,” Ridvan Muharremi, was also implicated.
Hajdari stated at the time that purchases for state reserves were made in accordance with the law, but declined to provide more details, citing that the information was “state secret.” She accused the police of seizing classified documents during raids.
Kurti defended Hajdari, saying there was “no corruption or misuse” and expressed full trust in her work, blaming “the old corrupt political elite, judges, prosecutors, and manipulated media” for supporting crime.
The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council asked Kurti to refrain from making threatening and demeaning statements.
Eight months later, in April, Hajdari was summoned for questioning by the Special Prosecutor’s Office under suspicion of official misconduct related to state reserves. She remained silent during the questioning.
The opposition demanded Hajdari’s resignation, but she denied any reason to step down.
President Vjosa Osmani called for patience until the case is concluded.
Summons for Kurti as Witness
The government spokesman, Përparim Kryeziu, announced on Facebook that the Special Prosecutor’s Office summoned Kurti to testify on December 16.
He criticized the justice system for intervening in the election process, noting that a previous court decision barred Kurti from running in the 2021 election but now, through this summons, there is an attempt to influence the 2025 election results.
The summons relates to a criminal offense under Article 414 of Kosovo’s Penal Code, which deals with “abuse of official position or authority.”
