DOCUMENT TYPE: REPORT
\nRELEASE DATE: 29 NOVEMBER 2013
\nAUTHORS: BETIM MUSLIU AND ADEM GASHI
\nPLACE OF PUBLICATION: PRISHTINA, REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
\nSUPPORTED BY: EMBASSY OF GREAT BRITAIN IN PRISTINA
\nThis is the second brief report by Kosovo Law Institute (KLI), that summarizes our observations of activities of institutions of justice related to offenses against the voting rights during the elections of 3rd of November, 2013. KLI values the approach, standards and commitment of security and prosecution authorities in investigation of criminal activity against the voting rights, and the progress made compared to the investigation and prosecution of crimes in 2010 elections.
\nOne of the major concerns expressed has been the degree of independence and impartiality of judges and prosecutors in election related cases. Concerns were raised after a number of prosecutors renounced their initial request for a custodial sentences; on the other hand, a number of judges have ordered measures that are milder than custody, and a judge in the Court of First Instance has given a conditional sentence to an offender charged with “Threat of a Candidate” which is not consistent with the damage caused by the crime.
\nRecommendations:
\nState Prosecutor and Kosovo Police should increase cooperation and efficiency for prompt implementation of SOPs by conducting detailed investigations as required by positive legislation and by SOPs in order to reveal elements of organized crime in cases that arise during elections by prosecuting the facilitators of these crimes.
\nProsecutors should be provided better support for their demands to impose security measures for defendants in criminal proceedings, respecting human rights and freedoms. Their requests to the court should not be drawn hastily, without a proper analysis of circumstances and the degree of suspicion.
\nJudges should understand the degree of risk, the importance of elections and crimes against voting rights and impose appropriate measures against the defendants, to ensure the appropriate running of the criminal proceedings, always respecting the human rights and freedoms.
\nState Prosecutor should investigate all other suspicious activities of financing of political parties and the parties’ election related expenses, which, as has been extensively reported by media, are inconsistent with declared funds of political parties
\nState Prosecutor and Kosovo Police should intensify efforts to have the cases reported so that they can be addressed by relevant authorities<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DOCUMENT TYPE: REPORT RELEASE DATE: 29 NOVEMBER 2013 AUTHORS: BETIM MUSLIU AND ADEM GASHI PLACE OF PUBLICATION: PRISHTINA, REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO SUPPORTED BY: EMBASSY OF GREAT BRITAIN IN PRISTINA This is the second brief report by Kosovo Law Institute (KLI), that summarizes our observations of activities of institutions of justice related to offenses against the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-publikime-en"],"yoast_head":"\n