PRESS RELEASE 9th November 2007 REGARDING ALBIN KURTI, THE UN's POLITICAL PRISONER IN KOSOVO STOP PRESS The house arrest of Albin Kurti has just been extended by another two months, until 11th January 2008, and his next trial date has been set for 15th November 2007. Statutory legal rules for notification to Mr Kurti were ignored. We would like to announce the Launch of the "Free Albin Kurti" website We are writing to inform you of the existence of a new website www.freealbinkurti.org dedicated to the release of Albin Kurti, a non-violent activist in Kosovo, who has been held in detention by the UN Mission in Kosovo since 10th February 2007. Albin Kurti is the leader of a non-violent movement, Lëvizja VETËVENDOSJE! And argues that the only peaceful and democratic solution to the status of Kosovo, is through recognizing the right of self-determination of the people who live there. This means the right to hold a referendum to determine their future themselves. This demand is directly in opposition to the negotiation process currently being supported by the International Community. Albin Kurti was arrested on 10th February 2007 after a demonstration in which peaceful activists and protestors were fired at by UN police using rubber and plastic bullets. Two young men were killed and over 80 people reported injured. Although the International Public Prosecutor determined that the police action was unnecessary and the killing of the two young men was murder committed by members of the Romanian police unit involved, no one has been brought to justice. Instead, since February 10th, Albin Kurti has been held in prison, and now has been under permanent house arrest since July 11th. In prison, the International Helsinki Federation was denied the right to visit him, whilst international visitors were allowed to visit at 24 hours notice when they came to persuade him not to organize any more protests. During the entire period of his detention, Albin Kurti has been interviewed in relation to his case only once, for 30 minutes. Albin was categorized as a 'category A' prisoner, which supposedly implies a high security risk, although this is not defined in the criminal code of Kosova. Albin has never been informed of this decision. The trial against Albin Kurti began on September 19th. In this session, the international judge (all of whom are appointed by UNMIK) refused to allow him his right to speak, shouting at him to 'shut up'. Albin's statement for the court argued that the panel of judges were not objective because UNMIK is both the judging, offended and prosecuting party in the case. Furthermore the prosecution have linked his case to the political status of Kosova: On 7th May, the prosecutor stated that Albin Kurti represented a danger to the future status of Kosova. At the trial, a new indictment was read. This has still not been sent to Albin Kurti. A decision was made by the panel to refuse Albin's request to dismiss them. This decision has also not been communicated to Albin, even though it was taken on 10th October, and according to the decision, he had only three days in which to appeal it. In addition, immediately after the session on September 19th, the court-appointed defence counsel - who was not recognized by Albin as he was appointed by the UNMIK system which Albin does not recognise - applied to be withdrawn from the case. Almost two months later, his application for withdrawal has neither been approved nor dismissed, and no lawyer is working on the case. Albin is still not aware of which lawyer will "represent" him during the next session. Today, Friday 9th November, Albin Kurti was informed that his house arrest has been continued for another two months, until January 11th 2008, and that the second court session in the case against him has been scheduled for November 15 - in six days time. According to the law, he should have been informed at least eight days in advance of the trial session. It is crucial that the November 15 session is observed by human rights organizations and reported in the media. The trial session has been scheduled on purpose two days before the Elections in Kosovo in order to minimize media attention. This is how the UN system treats political opposition in Kosova. Albin Kurti is a political prisoner. He is in detention because he dares to oppose. The very focus of his work is to non-violently object to the anti-democratic order of UNMIK. It is impossible for him to have a fair trial within this system. His imprisonment is not only a violation of his individual right to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and right to a fair trial. It is also a violation of the freedom of every citizen in Kosovo. Please read this website to find out more and do what you can to help. http://www.freealbinkurti.org/ -- Levizja VETEVENDOSJE! Movement for SELF-DETERMINATION! in Kosova www.vetevendosje.org TOP