As the constitutional deadline approaches, Kosovo remains in a phase of political uncertainty regarding the formation of new institutions.

The discussions so far have not brought any epilogue, while the session for the constitution of the Assembly is expected to be convened in two weeks.

The suspension of discussions by the LDK and internal clashes on this subject, according to experts in the field, have increased uncertainty about securing the majority necessary to elect the president.

Analysts estimate that the role of PDK could be decisive at this stage. According to Sadik Zeqiri, after the divisions in LDK, there is a dilemma as to whether all 18 MPs of this entity will be willing to vote for the new president.

"If there are no talks with PDK, then the country will go to elections. LDK does not have the 18 votes, the guaranteed 18 votes for the presidential candidate," Zeqiri told RTK.

Even according to analyst Fatime Hajdari, recent developments in the LDK have deepened the political crisis in the country.

"LDK has not had internal security in controlling the vote, how many votes it has in a political collaboration. They need to have clarity. These political parties need to have responsibility and obligation to cooperate with each other," Hajdari.

Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said on Friday that the constitutive session of the Assembly will be called in early August.

The Kosovo Government has told RTK that they hope that the opposition will not barricade itself against it and that the country will go to new elections.

After the last meeting, the Democratic Party of Kosovo said they would remain in opposition, while the LDK has suspended talks, creating uncertainty about how the formation of new institutions will proceed.

The Kosovo Security Forces are continuing preparations for the deployment of its contingent to Gaza in coordination with the International Security Force headquarters. All this within the framework of the international stabilization mission in Gaza. The latest to depart for that country are 4 members of the KSF.

The United States-led peace board announced that members of the Force will support security efforts in Gaza in areas such as logistics and civil affairs.

Within the framework of this mission, the Chief of Staff of the Acting Minister of Defense, Liridona Gashi, announced that the rest of the contingent has completed operational and logistical preparations and, after final coordination with the Mission Headquarters, will depart for Gaza to assume its duties.

"The participation of the Republic of Kosovo in this mission represents an important step in consolidating its role as an active contributor to international security. This commitment also marks the first participation in a mission approved by the UN, reflecting the level of trust and partnership with international allies," said Gashi.

And those who deal with security issues say that the KSF is putting its capacities at the service of international peace and security, highlighting it as the most important moment in the consolidation of the state of Kosovo.

With this mission, the KSF is writing a historic chapter in its journey as a modern, professional force worthy of international missions. On the eve of the conclusion of the 10-year transition, this commitment demonstrates Kosovo's readiness to be part of the global security architecture and its journey towards NATO./RTK

In the midst of the summer season, Albania remains one of the favorite destinations for many foreign tourists. Even in these hot July days, many European citizens are visiting Tirana.

RTSH spoke with tourists from across the continent, from America, but also with Italian neighbors.

"I come from New York, but I am an Italian citizen. We have arrived here and Tirana seems to me to be a very beautiful place. It has changed a lot as a city and I find it interesting with the tall buildings. I will also go to the sea. The people and the city are full of life."

"For me it's not the first time. I was here in 2023. I feel part of Albania. I feel like I was born here. I live in the south of Italy and it seems to me like we are the same. When I enter the restaurant they greet me in Italian. I feel honored."

"We are here to take a tour of Albania, to then go to Montenegro. We will take with us a beautiful memory of these days and a great consideration for the Albanians," said some of the tourists.

This young man from America in Albania has not only found a beautiful place, but also his life partner, an Albanian girl.

"For me, it's not my first time in Albania, as my wife is Albanian," he said.

In May, the number of visitors to Albania was higher. According to data from INSTAT, the number of visitors accommodated in tourist structures in Albania increased by 12.4% compared to the same period a year earlier.

The hotel room occupancy rate reached 29.8%, up from 28.7% a year earlier, signaling higher utilization of accommodation capacity.

Italy remains the main market for foreign tourists with 19% of the total, followed by Kosovo with 11%, Germany with 10%, France with 9% and Poland with 6%.

The North region recorded the strongest growth in foreign visitors, from around 47 thousand to over 73 thousand, while the South region also recorded significant growth.

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Four months after the Supreme Court upheld the life sentence for Dardan Krivaqen for the murder of his girlfriend, in another case of wife murder, it decided to reduce the sentence.

Edmond Lajçi was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first instance for the murder of his wife, but the same sentence was recently reduced to 30 years by the Supreme Court.

The latter justified the reduction of the sentence with the guilty plea by the convicted person.

“ The Supreme Court has assessed that the courts of first and second instance have not correctly applied Article 41 of the Criminal Code regarding the imposition of a life sentence. According to the Supreme Court’s assessment, some of the circumstances considered as particularly aggravating were not supported by evidence, while some of them constitute elements of the criminal offence itself and, for this reason, cannot justify the imposition of the most severe sentence, foreseen by law. The Supreme Court has emphasized that life imprisonment may be imposed only in cases where there are particularly aggravating circumstances that clearly distinguish the specific case from ordinary cases of the same criminal offence and when a milder sentence would not be proportionate to the gravity of the offence and the culpability of the perpetrator in this case, the Supreme Court has assessed that this legal standard has not been met. Relying on the principle of individualisation and proportionality of the sentence, as well as on the practice of the European Court of Human Rights, the Supreme Court has assessed that the sentence of 30 years "The term of imprisonment is proportional to the gravity of the criminal offense, the degree of guilt and the dangerousness of the defendant, and that this sentence can achieve the purpose of the sentence, both in terms of individual and general deterrence ," the Supreme Court's response states.

According to lawyer Yll Zekaj, judges should carefully analyze cases when deciding on a life sentence.

"Publicity should never, no external circumstances should ever, influence the Court's decision. Courts are independent, courts should act only on the basis of evidence and on the basis of what is provided by the prosecutor in the case files," said Yll Zekaj - lawyer.

Zekaj also shows that if a person remains in prison for the rest of his life, he is sentenced to life imprisonment by a final decision.

"Life imprisonment in the system we have in Kosovo does not mean that the prisoner or person sentenced to life imprisonment will never be released from prison. Our legislation, our criminal code, provides that even life imprisonment can be reviewed after 30 years of serving the sentence," said Yll Zekaj - lawyer.

Life imprisonment is the highest sentence in the Kosovo penal system. Since the entry into force of the Criminal Code in 2013, it has been imposed in over 10 cases. /Tv Dukagjini/

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After the fire at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in 2023, the main laboratories were damaged and about 300 cases with toxicology results remained unfinished. According to legal experts, such delays harm judicial processes. 10 cases were sent for examination abroad, while renovations are nearing completion and the spaces are expected to be functional next week.

The lack of such a system caused everything to fall into ruins three years ago.

And now, after renovations, a modernized fire-fighting system has been installed at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.

But the 2023 fires blocked work in the main laboratory, due to the damage caused then.

Thus, there are nearly 300 cases that have not yet been concluded.

"July 2023 July 2026 there are about 1500 completed cases, completed in terms of autopsies. But there are about 300 cases awaiting toxicology results that we are hoping will be available soon after the laboratory is operational, after servicing and calibrating the equipment," said Agron Thaqi, Acting Director of the IML.

Thaci announced the number of cases that had to be sent abroad.

"In this context, sending samples abroad is also the competence of the Prosecution, around ten cases have been sent abroad. The IML has agreements with a number of regional and European institutions, so we only help with the organization and communication of the work," said Agron Thaqi, Acting Director of the IML.

However, the delay in results is estimated to affect the handling of cases by justice institutions.

"If the IML has been involved in a fire since the equipment was damaged and does not have capacity, this also hinders the judiciary, and considering that it is under the umbrella of the Ministry of Justice, the failure to empower the IML with capacity, equipment and technical capabilities is in some way a way for the government to hinder the judiciary from carrying out such work," said Gëzim Shala, Researcher at the IKL.

In addition to the delay in reviewing court cases, lawyer Ardian Bajraktari says that this also harms the state.

"Of course, this also carries a financial cost due to the fact that, as is known, any such expertise is a financial burden. From this perspective, the Ministry of Justice should make these laboratories functional as soon as possible," said Ardian Bajraktari, lawyer.

The laboratories, main autopsy room, and archive will be operational from next week, as renovations at the Institute of Forensic Medicine are almost complete.