Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said that former judges and prosecutors from the Serbian community who resigned cannot return to work because the law does not allow them, while emphasizing that throughout their mandates they have received directives from Serbia.
She stressed that no democratic state would accept a situation where judges and prosecutors are "directed" by another state. Haxhiu reacted to partner states that have requested the return of former Serbian judges and prosecutors, telling them that no one would decide on something that is contrary to the law.
"Which of our international partners who today put pressure on the councils, which of them would allow their countries to have judges and prosecutors who are directed by another country? Which of our international partners who always call on us for the rule of law and the independence of the justice system, would ask judges and prosecutors who are members of the councils to decide something that is contrary to the legislation," she said.
Haxhiu reiterated that former Serbian judges and prosecutors have resigned after pressure from Serbia and its President Aleksandar Vučić.
As she further emphasized, these actors have been paid by Serbia since 2017.
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"According to the data I have, former Serbian judges and prosecutors and staff have benefited and continue to benefit from Serbia. The vast majority of them have received and continue to receive financial means in various forms from Serbia since 2017 until now. Even during the time they were prosecutors and judges, they were paid by Serbia. The loyalty they demonstrated to Serbia was also rewarded with financial means at a time when they were expected to exercise their mandate for the benefit of the citizens in the interest of the Republic of Kosovo."
Haxhiu stated that there is evidence that some of the former judges and prosecutors have carried out other illegal activities in the service of illegal Serbian structures in the north, contradicting the legal and constitutional order of Kosovo.
"There are many cases where former judges and prosecutors have participated in meetings in Serbia and Kosovo where plans were discussed and actions were taken, including blocking roads to oppose Kosovo institutions. Due to interference from Serbia, in many cases the administration of justice has failed in the past in the north. There are well-founded suspicions that those actions were deliberate and orchestrated by circles connected to crime and power in Serbia," Haxhiu said.
Haxhiu expects the KJC not to reinstate Serbian judges: If they do, it would be dangerous
Acting President Albulena Haxhiu said she expects the Judicial Council not to decide on the reinstatement of former Serbian judges who have resigned. Any other situation would be dangerous, she stressed.
"I hope that the KJC today acts in accordance with the legislation in force and the obligations they have. After their requests for dismissal, I will immediately sign the decrees for the termination of their mandate. I do not want to think of another situation that would truly be unprecedented, very serious and very dangerous," Haxhiu declared.
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Haxhiu stated that further steps were also discussed if the KJC issues a decision to reinstate former judges.
"We cannot allow the violation of the Constitution and laws of Kosovo. Most of them there are judges and we expect them to implement the laws. What the actions will be, we will talk after something like this happens, but I hope it doesn't happen."
On July 21, through a statement from the spokesperson in Brussels, the EU expressed concern about the decision of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council to accept the resignations of Serbian personnel four years after they had submitted them. This decision was made after these Serbs withdrew their resignation letters. The EU also expressed concern about the decree of the decision by the acting president, Albulena Haxhiu.
“According to its Constitution, Kosovo is a multi-ethnic society governed by the rule of law and its judicial system should reflect Kosovo’s ethnic diversity. The EU has consistently called on Kosovo to facilitate the reintegration of Kosovo Serb judicial personnel in accordance with Kosovo laws and the agreements reached in the dialogue,” the statement said. “The EU welcomes the withdrawal of the resignations submitted on 15 July 2026 by Kosovo Serb judges, prosecutors and support staff. The EU is concerned by yesterday’s decision of the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) to accept the resignations that had already been withdrawn and by today’s decision of the acting president to decree these resignations. This appears to be inconsistent with the law, due process and the requirements of the rule of law in Kosovo.”
On Thursday, the office called on political parties to refrain from pressuring the Kosovo Judicial Council regarding its decision-making on requests to withdraw the resignations of Serbian judges. The EU's reaction came after posts by several ruling party MPs regarding the KJC.
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"The EU in Kosovo calls on all political parties to refrain from exerting pressure on the Kosovo Judicial Council and its members in their decision-making. An independent, impartial and apolitical judiciary is fundamental to the rule of law in the EU and in Kosovo," the EU's response states.
