Free Albin Kurti - The Case

Romanian special police unit who not only fired negligently (rubber bullets are lethal when fired at close range and above the waist), but also were using out of date bullets which had hardened. Because forensics could not identify which rifle had shot the lethal rubber bullets, Dean concluded that no individual police officer could be charged with murder. The Romanian police unit left Kosova. Dean's second report stated that the police operation was characterized by a serious breakdown in the chain of command and ambiguity of orders concerning the use of rubber bullets.

Was the Dean investigation satisfactory?

A report by the Police Inspectorate of Kosova stated that there were serious weaknesses in the Dean investigation into the 10th February. It stated that against regulations, the Romanian police were interviewed by Romanian nationals, that there were discrepancies between their original evidence and English translations, that the Ministry of the Interior was not informed about their departure until UNMIK announced it to the media, and finally, that because the Romanian police were never interviewed as suspects, but only as witnesses, none of their evidence can be used in court against them.

What has happened to the Romanian police?

Despite the conclusion that the Romanian police had committed a criminal offence, UNMIK allowed the 9 man Romanian police unit to leave Kosova on 23rd March, without being charged.

Nothing further has been undertaken to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions.

What is Albin Kurti being charged with?

According to the Indictment issued on 31st May, Albin Kurti is being charged with:

a)Participating and leading a crowd, which committed a criminal offence as defined and penalized under article 320 para 2, of the Provisional Criminal Code of Kosovo (PCCK). The criminal offence according to the indictment is the intention to throw 351 glass bottles filled with red paint at the vehicles and buildings of the Kosovo institutions.

Maximum sentence 10 years

b) Participating in a group obstructing official persons performing official duties as defined and penalized under article 318, para 2, PCCK. The indictment states that the duty of the police was 'protecting the property of the Government and Assembly of Kosovo and UNMIK'

Maximum sentence 5 years

c) Call for resistance (with force) as defined and penalized under article 319, para 1, PCCK. The indictment states that AK called on activists and demonstrators in his speech to 'prevent by use of force or serious threat the execution of lawful decisions or measures to establish a police cordon'

Maximum sentence 3 years

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