Kosovo’s prime minister refuses to testify in state reserve investigation

Dec 30, 2024 - Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has refused to appear before the Special Prosecutor’s Office in connection with an investigation into the country’s state reserves, claiming the inquiry is politically motivated.

In a TV interview, Kurti said the head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, Blerim Isufaj, was attempting to use the case for "international news" by questioning him over a corruption investigation.

Kurti likened the situation to the 2010 arrest of Hashim Rexhepi, the former Governor of Kosovo’s Central Bank, who faced charges of abuse of office. He suggested that the authorities were aiming for a "softer" approach to a similar case.

The Prime Minister reiterated his willingness to testify, but only in his office. So far, the Special Prosecutor’s Office has issued two invitations for Kurti to appear, both of which he has declined.

Kosovo’s Prosecutorial Council has voiced its support for the Special Prosecutor’s Office, with its chairman, Ardian Hajdaraj, asserting that "everyone is equal before the law."

The investigation into Kosovo's state reserves is ongoing, and Kurti’s stance has added further political tension in the country.