Gogic: Kosovo Judicial Council decision another test for Brussels

Political scientist Ognjen Gogic assessed that the Kosovo Judicial Council's decision not to reinstate Serbian judges and administrative staff is another in a series of Kosovo's absurdities and another test for Brussels, RTS reports.

“What happened here is that first the Prosecutorial Council a month ago, and yesterday the Kosovo Judicial Council, confirmed resignations that had already been withdrawn. In other words, if they had confirmed those resignations in previous years, that would have been somewhat understandable. They kept those resignations in a drawer, supposedly leaving room for the prosecutors and judges to return, and then, only after they had been withdrawn, they confirmed them. The big question is whether those resignations even have any effect anymore,” Gogic said.

He added that some form of legal remedy would probably be necessary and that the European Union called last month for the decision to be reviewed.

“Through that very system, which actually discriminates against you, you seek justice, but now the prosecutors and judges should actually pursue legal action to challenge these decisions of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Councils. This is because it can be challenged that those resignations no longer had any effect, that they had been withdrawn and could not have been confirmed,” Gogic said.

He added that he believes the European Union will insist that some legal proceedings be initiated.

“I am almost certain that these prosecutors and judges would not have withdrawn their resignations if they had not received guarantees from Brussels that they would be accepted and that they would be returned to their jobs. So this is yet another new test for Brussels,” Gogic stressed.

Speaking about the situation with the bridge over the Ibar River, Gogic assessed that it appears that both KFOR and the European Union have somewhat backtracked on their positions regarding the matter after seeing the reactions of the Serbian side, both of Serbs in Kosovo and of Belgrade.

“KFOR has to some extent clarified its role in this process. Two moments need to be distinguished. One is KFOR's presence on the bridge, and the other is the opening of the bridge. So, KFOR stated a few days ago that it alone decides how long it will remain on the bridge. In other words, that is KFOR's decision, and no one else's,” Gogic said.

Speaking about the verdicts for Hashim Thaci and the three KLA leaders, which are expected to be handed down soon, Gogic said that if the verdict is an acquittal or favorable to the Albanian side, there will be triumphalism and provocations, while if it is a conviction, there will be provocations driven by revenge.