This is the news from Monday, 17 February.

Kosovo is celebrating its 17th year of independence today. The country declared independence from Serbia in 2008, almost a decade after the bloody Kosovo-Serbia war. Activities to celebrate the day were held throughout the country, including in Prishtina and Prekaz, where the cemeteries of the martyrs killed during the war are located. President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti addressed the nation, emphasising the importance of cooperation with the EU and US for the full international recognition of the country’s independence and sovereignty.

The US Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell, congratulates Kosovo on its independence but demands the release of former President Hashim Thaçi, who has been under arrest in The Hague for five years. In a post published on X Grenell, who has a tense and less-than-friendly relationship with current Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Grenell states that “President Hashim Thaçi should celebrate today in Prishtina—not behind bars in The Hague.”

Ajola Xoxa (zoza), the wife of the imprisoned Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj has reacted for the first time since her and her husband’s arrest by the country’s special court against corruption and organised crime. In a post on social media, she denied reports that she spent almost EUR 900,000 on luxury clothes online. In her statement, she said that these claims are untrue as in one decade, she only spent EUR 75,000.

The arrest of Erion Veliaj has put the role of the Special Prosecutor’s Office at the centre of public debate. Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke today about respecting the freedoms of human rights and new standards for SPAK and the courts. Earlier, Rama spoke about control mechanisms for justice. While the head of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha said that SPAK has turned into a political institution that needs to be reformed. He recently said he would disband it if he wins the 11 May elections.