Pristina, 15 October 2025 – The Free Legal Aid Center of the Kosovo Law Institute (KLI-LAC) responds to public statements made by Mr. Faton Peci, member of the Assembly of Kosovo, Acting Minister and candidate for Mayor of South Mitrovica, who publicly named journalists and media representatives, accusing them of committing criminal offences due to their election day reporting.
KLI-LAC considers that such actions represent a direct violation of fundamental democratic principles, freedom of expression and public’s right to be informed. Publicly framing journalists with criminal accusations constitutes a form of pressure that may discourage critical and independent reporting. Media freedom and protection of journalists are essential pillars of any democratic society, guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, the European Convention on Human Rights and the standards of the European Court of Human Rights.
KLI-LAC calls on all political representatives to exercise responsibility and respect for the media’s role in democratic processes by refraining from denigrating language, statements or actions that could have a chilling effect on journalism and media freedom. Any potential mistakes in publishing exit polls after the closing of polling station, or in post-election media analyses, should be treated as matters of professional and ethical accountability of the companies or media outlets involved, but must never be elevated to the level of criminal liability for exercising of expression.
A broad interpretation of such alleged mistakes as criminal offenses sets a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression and investigative journalism. In his public statement, Mr. Peci referred to Article 210 and 216 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo (CCRK). However, these provisions clearly do not apply to the circumstances he described.
- Article 210 (“Violating the free decision of voters”) criminalizes actions involving the use of force, serious threats, or misuse of economic or professional dependency to influence a voter’s choice.
- Article 216 (“Falsification of voting results”) applies to the manipulation of official electoral results, not to public opinion surveys or post-election analyses.
Although the baselessness of such accusations is evident, this approach nonetheless undermines freedom of expression and the rights of journalists in Kosovo.
KLI-LAC also calls on the State Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a thorough, professional, and impartial investigation into all allegations of irregularities during the electoral process. Such investigations should aim to clarify any reported misconduct that may have affected the electoral process, but must never be misused as a tool to silence journalists or punish media reporting.
At the same time, within its mandate to defend freedom of expression and journalists’ rights, KLI-LAC expresses its readiness to provide legal aid and representation to any journalist facing criminal prosecution or civil lawsuits initiated by politicians or public figures seeking to restrict public participation or civic activism in matters of public interest.
KLI-LAC reaffirms its commitment to the principle that a democratic society can exist only when the media is free to report, citizens are free to be informed, and politicians are accountable to public scrutiny.