On 13th of June, we received proof of evidence on an issue related to the registration involving the business company Klan Kosova L.L.C, for which, the next day, we carried out an analysis of the registration history – concretely its registration documents in the Kosovo Business Registration Agency (KBRA).
The issue concerns the registration of the Klan Kosova, Limited Liability Company. Based on the law and sublegal acts into force, which are related to the registration of the business as a legal entity, during the registration process the party is required, in addition to other documents to provide evidence of registration in the country where it was originally registered. In the specific case of the change of owners of the business Klan Kosova L.L.C, the evidence of the registration from the state of North Macedonia, in its content proves that the cities of Kosovo, as in this case Gjakova and Peja, are presented as cities of another state , respectively of Serbia (Gjakova, Serbia and Peja, Serbia).
Let alone the fact that the Klan Kosova JSC-Limited Liability Company is incorrect in its registration, this act reinforces the false narrative that Kosovo is still under Serbian occupation. Therefore, it contradicts our constitutional principles.
On 14th of June, due to the legal violation, the Kosovo Business Registration Agency has temporarily suspended the business certificate of Klan Kosova L.L.C. This decision is not unilaterally final, as the legal procedures enable Klan Kosova L.L.C. to challenge the suspension within thirty days before the Appealing Committee for Review of Complaints for Business Registration at the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade. As such, the current decision has no legal consequences, that is, Klan Kosova L.L.C may carry out its activities until the Committee makes a decision on this case and advices us on how to proceed further.
In its defence, the private media Klan Kosova, which is one of the activities of Klan Kosova L.L.C, has stated that this is an attack on the freedom of media. This is far from the truth. The bodies that regulate business registration and media activities are two very separate bodies. The registration of businesses is done by the Kosovo Business Registration Agency, the responsible body, as in the case of the business certificate for Klan Kosova L.L.C, while the body responsible for licensing and exercising media activities is the Independent Media Commission and not the Kosovo Business Registration Agency.
In fact, we ponder that the attempt to describe a business case as an attack on the freedom of media is unjustifiable and unsustainable.
All public institutions are advised not only to respect, but to help and strengthen support for free and independent media. This support has been evidenced by international organizations such as the Reporters Without Borders.
Independent, free, objective and professional media organizations are our allies in the efforts to develop and safeguard a free and democratic society.