Koha newspaper has published a surveillance recording from Kosovo Parliament showing the alleged physical attack against opposition MP Gazmend Gjyshinca by deputy Speaker of Parliament Kujtim Shala and MP Arben Gashi of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
In the recording, Shala and Gashi are seen waiting outside the meeting room from which MP Gjyshinca emerges and walks his way. They rush behind him, Shala first lays his hand on Gjyshinca and then Gashi, in what appear to be attempts to stop him. Gjyshinca is cornered against the wall with their hands on him, and he appears to find it difficult to slip away while surrounded by them. The moves of their hands are not visible during this time.
After a few seconds, Gjyshinca is able to get away from the group of people surrounding him. Shala and Gashi are then seen walking to the exit doors of the building.
On Wednesday, Vetevendosje MP Gazmend Gjyshinca claimed he had been assaulted after questions he asked as a member of the Parliamentary Committee of Foreign Affairs Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla. The minister reportedly told the committee that she had only one hour to spend with them, and only 30 minutes for discussions. MPs were given the right to ask only two questions. The opposition described the situation as “unusual”.
Video recordings from the hearing show Gjyshinca trying to ask a question but being interrupted by Shala, to whom he tells “I’m done with you, please stay there.” The head of the committee interrupted Gjyshinca for having insulted Shala, and ended the hearing altogether, making it impossible for questions to be asked. Then the surveillance recording followed.
Yesterday deputy Speaker of Parliament Kujtim Shala categorically denied having assaulted Gjyshinca: “Nothing happened. Not a single physical touch towards anyone. They are lying in public.”
LDK Isa Mustafa also denied the event. He praised the number of books published by Shala, and added that “Academic Shala is able to beat all at Vetevendosje, from the first to the last, with wisdom and arguments.”
Following the publication of the video recording today, the LDK denied the assault again, claiming that it was “an attempt to talk among colleagues which was turned into a hysteria and accusation for physical assault.”
They warned the public to watch out against the tendency of the media “to present the situation in favor of those who accused and lynched for pure political motives.”
