Endrit Shala

The Association of Kosovo Journalists, KJA, condemned an attack on journalist Ensar Ramadani on Wednesday after he claimed the Acting Trade Minister, Endrit Shala, assaulted him at a hospital.

Kosovo citizens protesting against the Hydro Power Plant in Lumbardhi/ Bistrica River, Peja/Pec. Photo: BIRN

The decision came after thousands of citizens, environmentalists and civil society members protested on Monday in Peja/Pec, claiming the project will damage the river that passes through the Rugova national park.

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj on Wednesday said he backed a call by Trade and Industry Minister Endrit Shala for the country to sharply increase taxes on Serbian and Bosnian imports from 10 per cent, as imposed on November 6, to 100 per cent.

Haradinaj said the tax hike would come into effect immediately and all government institutions would have to take note of it.

The Kosovo government decided on Tuesday to impose a customs tariff of ten per cent on products made in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Basic Court of Pristina on Friday acquitted Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Limaj, Endrit Shala, Shpetim Telaki, Nexhat Krasniqi and Florim Zuka of organised crime, abuse of official position and authority and accepting bribes.

Rejecting the appeal, the EU-rule-of-law mission to Kosovo, EULEX, announced that the criminal case will proceed to main trial before the Basic Court of Pristina.

Fatmir Limaj is charged with organized crime, abusing his official position or authority, accepting bribes and non-declaration of received campaign money.