4 - 11 August 2026 | Weekly Regional Briefing

This week: Kosovo's Special Prosecution names Serbia-aligned powerbroker Milan Radoićić in a mass war crimes indictment, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers locks in a September endgame for the Thaçi cases, Albania's SPAK widens its corruption probe of former Deputy PM Belinda Balluku, a North Macedonian judge's retirement raises fresh judicial accountability questions, and Croatia's veto keeps testing Montenegro's EU timeline.

4 - 11 August 2026 | Weekly Regional Briefing

Serbia: Belgrade-Linked "Kingpin" Named in War Crimes Indictment

Kosovo's Special Prosecution has indicted 20 people over the 1999 killing of 107 Albanian civilians in Gjakova/Djakovica, among them Milan Radoićić, the Kosovo Serb businessman and former Srpska Lista deputy leader long shielded in Belgrade. Radoićić already faces terrorism charges over the 2023 Banjska attack and is wanted for a 2018 political murder; Kosovo is seeking trial in absentia since none of the accused are within reach.

Source: Prishtina Insight (BIRN)

Kosovo: September Endgame for Thaçi

A Hague judge has cancelled mid-August hearings in Hashim Thaçi's obstruction of justice case, setting closing arguments for 10-14 September. That's just two days before the verdict in his main war crimes case, due 16 September, the second delay to that ruling, and one that's already drawn sharp criticism in Kosovo.

Source: Srpske Novine

Albania: SPAK Piles New Charges on Balluku

Former Deputy PM Belinda Balluku faced fresh procurement-related charges from SPAK on 7 August, widening a probe that already covers the Llogara Tunnel and Tirana's Outer Ring Road. Parliament has twice shielded her from arrest, making this Albania's clearest test yet of whether justice reform reaches the top.

Source: Tirana Times

North Macedonia: A Judge Retires, Questions Follow

Judge Vulnet Vinca retired days after freeing a Bitola corruption suspect who promptly fled to Serbia, the Judicial Council waved through his retirement rather than pursue discipline. PM Mickoski has promised an investigation, even as his own surprise Brussels trip stirs speculation he may be softening on the EU's "French proposal."

Source: Republika English

Montenegro: Croatia's Veto Still Holds

Croatia is still blocking closure of Chapter 31, demanding progress on war-era property claims, the Jadran training ship and a maritime border deal before it budges. Montenegro wants all 33 chapters closed by year-end; a third round of talks with Zagreb is proposed for before September.

Source: IBNA