Kelmendi is relieved of his position as Chief State Prosecutor.

2025-12-22 15:19:42, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council dismissed Besim Kelmendi from the position of Acting Chief State Prosecutor on Monday, following his written request, a week after the high court annulled his dismissal that had sparked controversy and criticism.

In an extraordinary meeting of the Prosecutorial Council, Kelmendi's request to be relieved of duty was approved with 6 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions.

He will be succeeded by Agron Qalaj, who was reappointed acting president at the same meeting on Monday.

With 5 votes in favor and 1 against, Qalaj was reappointed until a further decision by the Prosecutorial Council.

In a letter submitted to the Prosecutorial Council, Kelmendi emphasized that the request to be relieved of duty was "a reflection of my will to support the reform of the Prosecutorial System and to contribute to improving the situation created in the Council," Betimi për Dijtësi reported on Monday.

Kelmendi emphasized that he wanted to leave this position - which he had held since April 2022 - following the court decisions on his case and the situation created in the Prosecutorial Council.

His request comes just five days after the Supreme Court annulled the Prosecutorial Council's decision to dismiss him, calling it unlawful.

Kelmendi was dismissed last month after reports that he had allegedly collaborated in 1999 with a Serbian judge on the Recak massacre case, which she considered a fabricated event. He has denied the allegations.

His dismissal sparked reactions from the international community and sparked controversy over the legality of the decision, as it was voted on by only five members of the Prosecutorial Council. The remaining members considered that there was no quorum, and called the decision an "institutional coup".

Kelmendi appealed to the Supreme Court after the Basic Court rejected his appeal against his dismissal. The Supreme Court found that the Prosecutorial Council's decision was "unlawful, arbitrary and baseless."

In the letter, Kelmendi said that he wants to continue his career as a prosecutor and pledged that he will work "with dedication for the good of the prosecutorial system."

"And finally, I, as a prosecutor in the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor, will work with my utmost dedication for the good of the Prosecutorial System, independently, impartially and with professionalism, as the Prosecutorial Council has assessed me", he concluded./ REL