Balkans

Excavation at suspected mass grave site begins

RUDNICA -- Excavation at Rudnica, south-west Serbia, began on Wednesday on grounds of clues that the site holds a mass grave containing the remains of ethnic Albanians.

They were killed during the conflict in Kosovo and Metohija in 1999.

RASKA - Exhumations at Rudnica, south-west Serbia, began on Wednesday on grounds of clues that the site holds a mass grave containing remains of ethnic Albanians killed during the conflicts in Kosovo-Metohija in 1999.

BELGRADE - President of Swiss Confederation and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Burkhalter will pay an official visit to Serbia on Thursday when he will meet with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and other top officials.

Kosovo assembly adopts law on special court

PRIŠTINA, BELGRADE -- The Kosovo assembly in Priština on Wednesday adopted a law to extend the mandate of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX).

The proposal to establish the new tribunal was passed by 89 votes to 22 in parliament on Wednesday, although Prime Minister Hashim Thaci called it “the biggest injustice and insult which could be done to Kosovo and its people”.

7,000 signatures for Ivanović’s release pending trial

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA -- A petition with more than 7,000 signatures requesting the release of Oliver Ivanović pending his trial will be submitted to EULEX representatives.

The index of the International Institute for Economics and Peace, which aims to measure peace and stability in the world, said Montenegro has made progress compared to 2012, rising to 73rd place out of 162, up from 81st place in 2012.

BELGRADE - State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Interior Affairs (MUP) Vladimir Bozovic called on all MUP employees during the Wednesday meeting with police trade union representatives to join the humanitarian action entitled 'MUP of the Republic of Serbia for Kosovo Children' so as to raise assistance for vulnerable children in Kosovo-Metohija (KiM).

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - A petition with more than seven thousand signatures requesting that Citizens’ Initiative SDP leader Oliver Ivanovic be released pending trial will be submitted to EULEX representatives, international judges of the Basic Court in Mitrovica and EU Special Representative in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar on Wednesday or Thursday.

Priština official declares he'll "demolish church"

PRIŠTINA -- A recent statement by a member of the government in Priština concerning plans to demolish a Serbian Orthodox church in that town has caused reactions.

The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Eparchy of Raška and Prizren called on Tuesday Dardan Gashi's pronouncement "an open provocation."