The Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports (MKRS), Bislim Bislimi, held a press conference today regarding the indictment filed against two officials from the Urbanism Directorate in Prizren for abuse of official position.
Bislimi stated that the accused allowed the demolition of a building under legal protection.
“As previously announced to the public, the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Prizren yesterday filed an indictment against two public officials of the Municipality of Prizren for permitting the demolition of buildings with permanent legal protection status as cultural heritage assets, namely the demolition of the former ‘Sarajet e Vjetra’ complex in Prizren,” Bislimi said.
He added that this is not the first time such incidents have occurred, but the ministry has taken measures to reduce the destruction of protected buildings. Those who allow such actions will not remain unpunished.
“For years, professional institutions responsible for cultural heritage have faced numerous cases of intentional damage, destruction, or alteration of buildings with legal protection status. These damages were often caused for private gain, ignoring legal restrictions under the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, the Law on Cultural Heritage, the Law on the Historic Center of Prizren, and other applicable legal acts. Beyond its massive conservation and restoration programs, the MKRS has recently intensified efforts, particularly through its Cultural Heritage Inspectorate, to prevent illegal destruction and loss of protected cultural and historical assets,” he added.
Regarding further institutional steps, Bislimi called on the Prizren Prosecutor’s Office to address the case and punish the responsible officials. He also urged the accused to resign from their official positions. He noted that reconstructing the demolished building would require an estimated €15–16 million from the state budget.
“MKRS emphasizes that coordination among the Ministry, Police, Prosecutor’s Office, and judiciary will be strengthened. Any case involving illegal actions against protected assets or zones will be criminally prosecuted, whether involving central or local public officials, or other parties engaged in destruction or loss of constitutionally and legally protected values. Given the increasing negative involvement of local authorities undermining the Cultural Heritage Law for private or group interests, we call on them to cease this practice, fully coordinate with competent cultural heritage institutions, and ensure implementation of sectoral legislation in this area of public interest, as required of all public authorities exercising official powers,” Bislimi said.
