PDK demands the removal of Berishaj: Affair harms Kosovo; Berishaj under the protection of Kurti

The vice-president of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Vlora Citaku, asked for clarification of the affair in which, according to the media, the ambassador of Kosovo to Croatia, Martin Berishaj, had been involved. She also requested his dismissal, saying that he was under the protection of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Koha reports.

"Behind Ambassador Berishaj is a much deeper connection of power with the energy mafia of the countries of the region. Berishaj is a friend of Prime Minister Kurti, who personally appointed him as ambassador. Now he is faced with this scandal and is under the direct protection of the prime minister. Although the government tried at all costs to amnesty this affair, the scandal deepens and leads to the revelation of extremely disturbing facts, which not only go beyond issues of diplomatic and personal integrity, or even criminal prosecution, but today extend to the office of Prime Minister Albin Kurti," Citaku told at today's press conference.

She called for this affair to be clarified to the end so that the image of Kosovo would not be further damaged.

"We ask the law enforcement authorities to do their investigative work, as well as the responsible institutions to immediately remove Berishaj from his position as ambassador," Citaku said.

According to her, Kurti's government had been trying to hide this scandal since the beginning of April 2022. Citaku reminded that yesterday the media had published other data proving that the GEN company had paid 1,470,000 euros to Ambassador Berishaj's account.

"Yesterday, the Kosovo media reported other factual information about Berishaj's commercial activity with the GEN company, information about which Berishaj was not honest during his appearance before the Investigative Committee. According to these data, the company GEN deposited EUR 1,470,000 into Berishaj's account, which Berishaj did not report to the commission. Along with this telling data, this is an organized effort to cover the tracks.

"Yesterday, there were reports in the foreign media that the GEN company, in the context of money laundering through fictitious accounting, also financed political campaigns, and among other things, the pre-election campaign of Prime Minister Albin Kurti was mentioned," Citaku said.

She added that such an affair harmed the image of Kosovo in foreign policy.

"The criminal complaint by the Anti-Corruption Agency, the deep affair that damages the image of Kosovo, and the continuation of this saga in the international media even today as we speak, were not enough for Prime Minister Kurti or President Osmani for Ambassador Berishaj to face responsibility," Citaku said.