Radical ethnic Albanian leader released

Based on the comments I have read so far on Kurti, I have come to the conlcusion that majority of serbs have no idea who Albin Kurti is, what he stands for, and the huge difference between him and current politicians in Prishtina. Hatred and prejudice can cloud people's outlook.

I do not agree with all his views but I admire his courage, resolve, determination and I think he is a breath of fresh air amongst all the corruption in the region. One thing he is not is a criminal - he has been labeled as such because he is the only true oppostion to the current local / international political system in Kosovo. It was the Romanian police illegal actions that resulted in the deaths of two protestors, and majority of Vetevendosje protests are peaceful or with minor incidents - much more peaceful than any protests we see in Serbia, Greece or rest of Europe.

This was a politically motivated prosecution and I'm glad it is over.

Kurti has his hands clean...as doesn't fight with guns but with pen and peaceful protest.

EULEX agreed to pay Kurti compensation for a month of unnecessary prison/arrest term.

This is too little.

(nikshala, 15 June 2010 11:36)

Couldnt have said it better myself, but dont blame the current Serb posters, most of them have never been in Kosovo let alone knowing who is who.

Im must say glad Kurti is finally free from baseless accusations, he is the only one the Internaional community cant buy nor blackmail and that is a big problem for them. Sad day for EULEX, ICO and current Government of Kosovo.

"So why not do something like that with Seselj, whose trial must be one of the longest on record."
Zoran

The reason they are keeping Seselj for this long is because he is innocent. They don't have anything on him so they need more time to fabricate evidence against him. The "democratic" countries of the West are keeping him locked up because he is a threat to the current Serbian government. There is a huge possibility he will win any election and the West can't afford that. However, the West doesn't know who they are daeling with when it comes to Seselj. He will outlast the EU and even Kosovo occupation. He will be back! And this time no more mr nice guy!

The reason is that he had already spent 11 months in prison during 2007.
--
Wow, this is the fastest trial I've ever seen. It's all over in a day and he still has 2 months worth of prison time to spare.

So why not do something like that with Seselj, whose trial must be one of the longest on record.

This is all looking a bit ridiculous now.

what a joke all this trouble to arrest him and then you let him go. so apperantly this guy only wants to do what he thinks is correct no matter what anyone else thinks. sounds and looks like the rest of these thugs you have in pristina, i will make my on laws and do what i want to do. open your eye's people vote these guys out and get some real people in goverment, who are not there to line there pockets and who will look for the people of kosovo.

"It was the Romanian police illegal actions that resulted in the deaths of two protestors"

niksala

I wonder if you would have mentioned this incident over and over if those who shot agiainst the violent protesters were american, british or german?

How come I have yet to read a condemnation against the american soilder who raped and killen and 11 year old Kosovo albanian girl?
Or perhaps you wouldn't highlite the ethnicity of the Romanian soilders if Romania recognized Kosovo.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-63237061.html

How about those american soilders who attacked and beat albanians? Not something you want to mention either. I wonder why?
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=20000128&id=UdciAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p-sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6729,7363301

“I did not appear at the hearings because I do not recognize EULEX and because this process is politically motivated. The restart of the case confirmed that EULEX is an undemocratic authority and that this is an unjust trial chamber,” Kurti said later.

Why do these words are almost identical to the words Milosevic and Karazic (and a lot of thier supporters) used when talking about the ICTY?

Those persons might belong to different ethnicities, but their ideas are all the same.

""

niksala

I wonder if you would have mentioned this incident over and over if those who shot agiainst the violent protesters were american, british or german?

How come I have yet to read a condemnation against the american soilder who raped and killen and 11 year old Kosovo albanian girl?
Or perhaps you wouldn't highlite the ethnicity of the Romanian soilders if Romania recognized Kosovo.

How about those american soilders who attacked and beat albanians? Not something you want to mention either. I wonder why?
[link]
(Mikael C, 15 June 2010 13:16)"

Mikael C,

You are missing the point here - the reason why everyone mentions this incident where Romanian police killed two protesters is because this directly relates to the prosecution against Kurit who is the the subject of this news article and many others.

It has nothing to do with the fact that they are Romanian or whatever - a crime was commited because they used illegal legal bullets (out of date) against unarmed protestors.

And this was a politically motivated process because by convicting Kurti - the international community is trying to blame him for the deaths of protestors. Btw, he was only convicted for obstructiong the course of justice. The worst they have done in protests was throwing paint at UN occupied buildings and the more recent overturning of EULEX cars. I am not trying to downplay this, but far more violent protests have occured in the neighbouring countries and across the world.

The limited knowledge on Kurti / Vetevendosje of some posters here is very obvious. The attempt to paint all albanians with the same brush is all to apparent.

What a joke! Its getting worse and worse in Kosovo. Its almost pathetic how obvious the level of corruption is. Chase this guy like he was Osama bin Laden. Catch him, give him a hot meal and then release the criminal. Thank the americans for this. They don't want a violent confrontation with the albanians now that they are pulling troops back.

I have to agree with nikshala on this one. Kurti is not like Thaci and the rest of the gang. I don't agree with all of his policies, and his policies are far too conceptual for Kosovo's current lot in life, but the man is one of the only true proponents of honest democratic growth in Kosovo. He's certainly no friend of Pristina's Tammany Hall (which extends to international puppet masters like Feith and Dell) and that can make him a rather dangerous fellow if he attracts enough support from disgruntled voters. Perhaps his release was more of an effort to make him irrelevant than put him in jail and make him a symbol.

"the reason why everyone mentions this incident where Romanian police killed two protesters is because this directly relates to the prosecution against Kurit"

nikshala

In that case you should be angry at KFOR. All international troops in Kosovo work under one ambrella but when some of them do something that albanians don't like their nationality is brought up to make the nation in question look bad and not their employer KFOR. That is unless that nation happens to be America, the UK or Germany. What ever they do wrong should apparently be kept a secret since they support an independent Kosovo. Seems like albanians are more interested in getting recognitions then being proud and fair to themselves.

"Kurti has his hands clean...as doesn't fight with guns but with pen and peaceful protest."

Again, the words "peaceful protest"? Do some people have a different point of view what "peaceful" is.

Hey, maybe Kurti will one fine day been awarded with the golden "Mahatma Gandhi medal", for all his "peaceful" actions :-)

He's not real opposition, he's a stalking horse for the government: "better to deal with us or you may have to deal with that terrible extremist Kurti, who doesn't recognise your international institutions". The Albanians have been playing variations of this trick since 1999 but hopefuilly more people see through these veiled threats now.

This is a rare case where I agree with Nikshala.
Albin Kurti is one of the few prominent Kosovo-Albanian politicians who does not have a single drop of blood on his hands and I am not aware he ever had dirty money in his hands.

As for his views: they are extreme and I disagree with Albin Kurti to the extreme. As long as he does not turns my car upside down and fights with pen an microphone - fine. I am not aware he preaches open violence either, hope he stays that way.

As for views - he endured quite a bit of suffering, I can understand why is he where he is - hopefully he will move to more reasonable position.

If anyone speaks with K-Albanians on the street, the usual position is: "yes, he is a bit crazy but he is not a criminal like the ones in Pristina and he did not kill people"

"Im must say glad Kurti is finally free from baseless accusations..... Sad day for EULEX, ICO and current Government of Kosovo.
(Pejoni, 15 June 2010 12:50)

Pejoni, if you would have read the article more thoroughly, you might have noticed that he was found GUILTY, was CONVICTED and SENTENCED to 9 months of prison - which he had already served in 2007 when he was arrested first. That's and only that's why he's free now. Keep that in mind before you celebrate your "innocent peaceful protesting hero"

And why should it be a sad day for EULEX? Justice has spoken, and that's what it was all about. You only have to forget about all the nonsense talk about "political motivated" arrest. It's simple: People should not be allowe to escape justice. And so, it's a GOOD day for EULEX.

If anyone speaks with K-Albanians on the street, the usual position is: "yes, he is a bit crazy but he is not a criminal like the ones in Pristina and he did not kill people"
(Ataman, 15 June 2010 18:45)

Thanks! I think this sums it up nicely. Kurti is indeed the best of a bad bunch - everything is relative. I still wish for Kosovo that one fine day there will be a new class of honest, competent and honourable politicans coming up.

"And this was a politically motivated process because by convicting Kurti - the international community is trying to blame him for the deaths of protestors. Btw, he was only convicted for obstructiong the course of justice. "
(nikshala, 15 June 2010 14:59)

To be exact, he was convicted of both inciting violence AND obstructing the justice. And yes, he was NEVER accused of being responsible for the death of the "peaceful" protestors. That's why your first sentence makes no sense. The fairy tale about the "political motivated process/arrest" is only spread by his supporters, repeating it again and again doesn't make it more true.

And his "supporters" who tried to protect him from being arrested and injured several policemen should be sentenced for obstructing the justice, too.

How come I have yet to read a condemnation against the american soilder who raped and killen and 11 year old Kosovo albanian girl?
The reason is very simple:we had not to do it because americans did condamn this guy,and did not manage the case as a collateral damage but as a crime.Romanian did not !
We do hope that for our Bloody February, UN team and romanians will after some years present their regrets too,to the kosovo people!
Killing us for a demonstration,is not excusable.

I signed an online petition calling on Albin Kurti to be released. I do not agree with all of his views but he is spot on regarding the Snake and the kleptocrats in Pristina. His arrest was politically motivated, an attempt by Pristina to silence him. I defend the right of freedom of speech and expression and I defend his right to express his opinion.

He is not a gangster or war criminal and does not have a drop of blood on his hands. He is someone like Surroi that Belgrade should be talking to.

top ,you compare two criminals with one of their victims,and there is quite a difference here between your criminals and the one who resisted and denouced their crimes!
So much that it makes your intervention ridiculous!

Little weird how eulex runs, how can an authority collaborate with a state which it doesn't recognise, had the EU jointly reckognised Kosovo, these small incidents would not happen, so Kurti is right about it, every one knows he is right, but most prefer to stay quite, after all it was NATO that liberated us, if Kurti is as much of a patriot as he claims to be he should have acted back in 1999, but i guess he was young back then, anyway, now we have no choise but to follow NATO and EU directions...we can't fight on two fronts, also, it is very probable EU will take over Kosovo, like the rest of balkans, so i gues there is not much we can do about it, but submitt to EU, of course, EU would rather absorb Albanians separated in two states, as it would be easier to fill our lands with pakis, arabs and sudanians one by one...kosovo already's full of afro-americans ! Long live Obama and the YULEX !

"So why not do something like that with Seselj, whose trial must be one of the longest on record."
Zoran

The reason they are keeping Seselj for this long is because he is innocent. They don't have anything on him so they need more time to fabricate evidence against him. The "democratic" countries of the West are keeping him locked up because he is a threat to the current Serbian government. There is a huge possibility he will win any election and the West can't afford that. However, the West doesn't know who they are daeling with when it comes to Seselj. He will outlast the EU and even Kosovo occupation. He will be back! And this time no more mr nice guy!

What a joke! Its getting worse and worse in Kosovo. Its almost pathetic how obvious the level of corruption is. Chase this guy like he was Osama bin Laden. Catch him, give him a hot meal and then release the criminal. Thank the americans for this. They don't want a violent confrontation with the albanians now that they are pulling troops back.

The reason is that he had already spent 11 months in prison during 2007.
--
Wow, this is the fastest trial I've ever seen. It's all over in a day and he still has 2 months worth of prison time to spare.

So why not do something like that with Seselj, whose trial must be one of the longest on record.

This is all looking a bit ridiculous now.

“I did not appear at the hearings because I do not recognize EULEX and because this process is politically motivated. The restart of the case confirmed that EULEX is an undemocratic authority and that this is an unjust trial chamber,” Kurti said later.

Why do these words are almost identical to the words Milosevic and Karazic (and a lot of thier supporters) used when talking about the ICTY?

Those persons might belong to different ethnicities, but their ideas are all the same.

what a joke all this trouble to arrest him and then you let him go. so apperantly this guy only wants to do what he thinks is correct no matter what anyone else thinks. sounds and looks like the rest of these thugs you have in pristina, i will make my on laws and do what i want to do. open your eye's people vote these guys out and get some real people in goverment, who are not there to line there pockets and who will look for the people of kosovo.

"Kurti has his hands clean...as doesn't fight with guns but with pen and peaceful protest."

Again, the words "peaceful protest"? Do some people have a different point of view what "peaceful" is.

Hey, maybe Kurti will one fine day been awarded with the golden "Mahatma Gandhi medal", for all his "peaceful" actions :-)

Kurti has his hands clean...as doesn't fight with guns but with pen and peaceful protest.

EULEX agreed to pay Kurti compensation for a month of unnecessary prison/arrest term.

This is too little.

"Im must say glad Kurti is finally free from baseless accusations..... Sad day for EULEX, ICO and current Government of Kosovo.
(Pejoni, 15 June 2010 12:50)

Pejoni, if you would have read the article more thoroughly, you might have noticed that he was found GUILTY, was CONVICTED and SENTENCED to 9 months of prison - which he had already served in 2007 when he was arrested first. That's and only that's why he's free now. Keep that in mind before you celebrate your "innocent peaceful protesting hero"

And why should it be a sad day for EULEX? Justice has spoken, and that's what it was all about. You only have to forget about all the nonsense talk about "political motivated" arrest. It's simple: People should not be allowe to escape justice. And so, it's a GOOD day for EULEX.

He's not real opposition, he's a stalking horse for the government: "better to deal with us or you may have to deal with that terrible extremist Kurti, who doesn't recognise your international institutions". The Albanians have been playing variations of this trick since 1999 but hopefuilly more people see through these veiled threats now.

"It was the Romanian police illegal actions that resulted in the deaths of two protestors"

niksala

I wonder if you would have mentioned this incident over and over if those who shot agiainst the violent protesters were american, british or german?

How come I have yet to read a condemnation against the american soilder who raped and killen and 11 year old Kosovo albanian girl?
Or perhaps you wouldn't highlite the ethnicity of the Romanian soilders if Romania recognized Kosovo.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-63237061.html

How about those american soilders who attacked and beat albanians? Not something you want to mention either. I wonder why?
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=20000128&id=UdciAAAAIBAJ&sjid=p-sDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6729,7363301

(nikshala, 15 June 2010 11:36)

Couldnt have said it better myself, but dont blame the current Serb posters, most of them have never been in Kosovo let alone knowing who is who.

Im must say glad Kurti is finally free from baseless accusations, he is the only one the Internaional community cant buy nor blackmail and that is a big problem for them. Sad day for EULEX, ICO and current Government of Kosovo.

Based on the comments I have read so far on Kurti, I have come to the conlcusion that majority of serbs have no idea who Albin Kurti is, what he stands for, and the huge difference between him and current politicians in Prishtina. Hatred and prejudice can cloud people's outlook.

I do not agree with all his views but I admire his courage, resolve, determination and I think he is a breath of fresh air amongst all the corruption in the region. One thing he is not is a criminal - he has been labeled as such because he is the only true oppostion to the current local / international political system in Kosovo. It was the Romanian police illegal actions that resulted in the deaths of two protestors, and majority of Vetevendosje protests are peaceful or with minor incidents - much more peaceful than any protests we see in Serbia, Greece or rest of Europe.

This was a politically motivated prosecution and I'm glad it is over.

"the reason why everyone mentions this incident where Romanian police killed two protesters is because this directly relates to the prosecution against Kurit"

nikshala

In that case you should be angry at KFOR. All international troops in Kosovo work under one ambrella but when some of them do something that albanians don't like their nationality is brought up to make the nation in question look bad and not their employer KFOR. That is unless that nation happens to be America, the UK or Germany. What ever they do wrong should apparently be kept a secret since they support an independent Kosovo. Seems like albanians are more interested in getting recognitions then being proud and fair to themselves.

""

niksala

I wonder if you would have mentioned this incident over and over if those who shot agiainst the violent protesters were american, british or german?

How come I have yet to read a condemnation against the american soilder who raped and killen and 11 year old Kosovo albanian girl?
Or perhaps you wouldn't highlite the ethnicity of the Romanian soilders if Romania recognized Kosovo.

How about those american soilders who attacked and beat albanians? Not something you want to mention either. I wonder why?
[link]
(Mikael C, 15 June 2010 13:16)"

Mikael C,

You are missing the point here - the reason why everyone mentions this incident where Romanian police killed two protesters is because this directly relates to the prosecution against Kurit who is the the subject of this news article and many others.

It has nothing to do with the fact that they are Romanian or whatever - a crime was commited because they used illegal legal bullets (out of date) against unarmed protestors.

And this was a politically motivated process because by convicting Kurti - the international community is trying to blame him for the deaths of protestors. Btw, he was only convicted for obstructiong the course of justice. The worst they have done in protests was throwing paint at UN occupied buildings and the more recent overturning of EULEX cars. I am not trying to downplay this, but far more violent protests have occured in the neighbouring countries and across the world.

The limited knowledge on Kurti / Vetevendosje of some posters here is very obvious. The attempt to paint all albanians with the same brush is all to apparent.

"And this was a politically motivated process because by convicting Kurti - the international community is trying to blame him for the deaths of protestors. Btw, he was only convicted for obstructiong the course of justice. "
(nikshala, 15 June 2010 14:59)

To be exact, he was convicted of both inciting violence AND obstructing the justice. And yes, he was NEVER accused of being responsible for the death of the "peaceful" protestors. That's why your first sentence makes no sense. The fairy tale about the "political motivated process/arrest" is only spread by his supporters, repeating it again and again doesn't make it more true.

And his "supporters" who tried to protect him from being arrested and injured several policemen should be sentenced for obstructing the justice, too.

This is a rare case where I agree with Nikshala.
Albin Kurti is one of the few prominent Kosovo-Albanian politicians who does not have a single drop of blood on his hands and I am not aware he ever had dirty money in his hands.

As for his views: they are extreme and I disagree with Albin Kurti to the extreme. As long as he does not turns my car upside down and fights with pen an microphone - fine. I am not aware he preaches open violence either, hope he stays that way.

As for views - he endured quite a bit of suffering, I can understand why is he where he is - hopefully he will move to more reasonable position.

If anyone speaks with K-Albanians on the street, the usual position is: "yes, he is a bit crazy but he is not a criminal like the ones in Pristina and he did not kill people"

If anyone speaks with K-Albanians on the street, the usual position is: "yes, he is a bit crazy but he is not a criminal like the ones in Pristina and he did not kill people"
(Ataman, 15 June 2010 18:45)

Thanks! I think this sums it up nicely. Kurti is indeed the best of a bad bunch - everything is relative. I still wish for Kosovo that one fine day there will be a new class of honest, competent and honourable politicans coming up.

How come I have yet to read a condemnation against the american soilder who raped and killen and 11 year old Kosovo albanian girl?
The reason is very simple:we had not to do it because americans did condamn this guy,and did not manage the case as a collateral damage but as a crime.Romanian did not !
We do hope that for our Bloody February, UN team and romanians will after some years present their regrets too,to the kosovo people!
Killing us for a demonstration,is not excusable.

I have to agree with nikshala on this one. Kurti is not like Thaci and the rest of the gang. I don't agree with all of his policies, and his policies are far too conceptual for Kosovo's current lot in life, but the man is one of the only true proponents of honest democratic growth in Kosovo. He's certainly no friend of Pristina's Tammany Hall (which extends to international puppet masters like Feith and Dell) and that can make him a rather dangerous fellow if he attracts enough support from disgruntled voters. Perhaps his release was more of an effort to make him irrelevant than put him in jail and make him a symbol.

top ,you compare two criminals with one of their victims,and there is quite a difference here between your criminals and the one who resisted and denouced their crimes!
So much that it makes your intervention ridiculous!

I signed an online petition calling on Albin Kurti to be released. I do not agree with all of his views but he is spot on regarding the Snake and the kleptocrats in Pristina. His arrest was politically motivated, an attempt by Pristina to silence him. I defend the right of freedom of speech and expression and I defend his right to express his opinion.

He is not a gangster or war criminal and does not have a drop of blood on his hands. He is someone like Surroi that Belgrade should be talking to.

Little weird how eulex runs, how can an authority collaborate with a state which it doesn't recognise, had the EU jointly reckognised Kosovo, these small incidents would not happen, so Kurti is right about it, every one knows he is right, but most prefer to stay quite, after all it was NATO that liberated us, if Kurti is as much of a patriot as he claims to be he should have acted back in 1999, but i guess he was young back then, anyway, now we have no choise but to follow NATO and EU directions...we can't fight on two fronts, also, it is very probable EU will take over Kosovo, like the rest of balkans, so i gues there is not much we can do about it, but submitt to EU, of course, EU would rather absorb Albanians separated in two states, as it would be easier to fill our lands with pakis, arabs and sudanians one by one...kosovo already's full of afro-americans ! Long live Obama and the YULEX !