The Presidency of Kosovo has issued a strong rebuttal to recent criticisms from the Organization of KLA War Veterans (OVL-KLA), emphatically stating that only the Assembly of Kosovo possesses the constitutional authority to extend or alter the mandate of the Specialist Chambers (Special Court). This comes amidst swirling discussions in Kosovo following the European Union’s recent extension of the EULEX mission’s mandate.
The OVL-KLA had publicly accused President Vjosa Osmani of covertly agreeing to prolong both the EULEX and the Special Court mandates. However, in a detailed response shared by the OVL-KLA itself, the Presidency’s legal team clarified that the decision regarding EULEX’s mandate was solely made by the EU Council. Crucially, the Presidency confirmed that no official exchange of letters has yet occurred between President Osmani and the EU High Representative concerning EULEX’s mandate.
The Presidency condemned the claims about President Osmani extending the Kosovo Special Court mandate as “slander and propaganda.” Their statement reiterated: “According to our Constitution, the Special Court’s mandate can only be changed, extended, or terminated by the Assembly of Kosovo, the institution that created this court through a constitutional amendment voted with 2/3 of the votes. The President has not signed any document related to the extension of the Special Court’s mandate.”
Furthermore, the Presidency underscored President Osmani’s consistent commitment to the Kosovo Liberation Army’s (KLA) just war and the rights of its veterans, war invalids, and fallen martyrs’ families.
In a subsequent public post, the OVL-KLA responded to the Presidency’s letter by characterizing its position on the matter as “political confusion.” This ongoing exchange highlights the sensitivity surrounding the Kosovo Special Court mandate and the future of international missions in the country.
