Perparim Kryeziu: The Government of Kosovo does not ban parties, certification is up to the CEC

The spokesperson for the Government of Kosovo in a caretaker capacity, Perparim Kryeziu, told Kosova Press that the government does not ban political parties, including the Serb List, but that it is up to the Central Election Commission not to certify them, while the prosecution and judiciary are responsible for acting on the basis of abundant information and evidence they possess from security and intelligence agencies.

Kryeziu stated that on June 29, 2023, the Government of Kosovo declared the “Civil Protection” and the “Northern Brigade” terrorist organizations.

“At the time we were sharply criticized, but it turned out we were right. Kosovo is an independent state and a democratic republic. Serbia’s parallel and illegal structures use the Serb List as their platform in Kosovo. Kosovo Serbs should not and cannot have only one political party,” Kryeziu told Kosova Press, commenting on today’s decision of the CEC not to certify the Serb List for participation in the October 12 local elections.

He added that, in the meantime, 12 other Serbian political entities, including four political parties, six civic initiatives, and two independent Serbian candidates, have already been certified by the CEC for the October local elections.

“It is unfair that they are overshadowed by the Serb List, which does not represent the interests of Kosovo Serbs, but those of official Belgrade in Kosovo,” Kryeziu emphasized.

Speaking about today’s meeting between caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the U.S. Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires in Pristina, Anu Pratipati, Kryeziu said that this was not the first time the issue was discussed with the U.S. Deputy Ambassador in Kosovo.

“It was reviewed today at this regular weekly meeting. Prime Minister Kurti’s position on the Serb List is well known. His position and that of Self-Determination is not new. There is information, data, facts, and numerous arguments that clearly prove that the Serb List is not an ordinary or normal party. Its de facto leader is still Milan Radoicic, and for him and 44 other members of Serbian paramilitary forces, besides the undisputed facts, there is now an indictment for the terrorist and paramilitary attack in Banjska on September 24, 2023, in which Kosovo police sergeant, hero Afrim Bunjaku, was killed,” Kryeziu said.