UNMIK/PR/918
PRISTINA - Monday’s edition of Bota Sot contains an article that makes unfounded and scurrilous allegations regarding the case of Sali Veseli and others, better known as the Commander Drini case.
The journalist makes three erroneous allegations that groundlessly challenge the professionalism of one international judge in particular and of the Kosovo judicial system as a whole.
First, he writes that SRSG Michael Steiner decided to replace Mrs. Hajnalka Karpati with Mr. Dierk Helmken as presiding judge in the trial. The SRSG believes strongly in the independence of the judiciary, and he does not interfere with matters of the internal administration of the courts. In fact, the Director of Justice designated the trial panel after consulting with Judges Karpati and Helmken about their respective workloads.
Second, he claims that Judge Karpati was demoted from presiding judge to panel member as a result of dissatisfaction with her work. This is false: no UNMIK official has ever expressed dissatisfaction with Judge Karpati’s performance. And certainly such a measure could not be taken, as it would be a breach in the independence of the judiciary.
Third, the journalist blames Judge Karpati for delaying justice in several cases. In the cases cited, however, Judge Karpati had no responsibility for the delays which were in fact caused by other factors.
This article is yet another instance of Bota Sot publishing articles on the judicial system that undermines the courts’ credibility without providing any evidence. Such unprofessional coverage performs a profound disservice to the development of democracy and the rule of law in Kosovo.
UNMIK has issued this statement as a press release because Bota Sot generally does not publish rebuttals submitted by UNMIK.