Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he raised the case of a person (details supplied) with the UNMIK authorities on his recent visit to Pristina; if he did, then the response he received; and if he did not, if he will do so on any occasion soon. [31732/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The case to which the Deputy refers was discussed in general terms in the course of my recent visit to Kosovo. My officials subsequently raised it with the UNMIK mission in Kosovo, which retains responsibility for justice and policing competences, and sought a report from them on the case.

In response, UNMIK have informed us that the individual in question has been indicted on charges relating to his alleged role in demonstrations which took place in Pristina on 10 February 2007. A panel of three international judges was appointed to hear the case: one has since recused himself due to other obligations and been replaced by a local Kosovo judge. A motion by the defendant to dismiss the original trial panel was dismissed by a local judge of the Pristina District Court. The trial began in Pristina District Court on 15 November, but was adjourned to 4 December to allow adequate preparation following the appointment of a new ex-officio Defence Counsel for the defendant.

UNMIK has also commented on accusations made in some quarters concerning alleged bias on the part of international judges, and the extent of restrictions on this individual's movements and on his freedom to receive visitors. They refute such allegations and note that a previous decision by the District Court to deny the prosecutor's motion to continue the detention on remand of this individual and to release him into house arrest on 7 July, was upheld by an international panel of the Supreme Court on 20 July. They note also that he received two visits from human rights organisation while in the custody of the Kosovo Correctional Service (KCS), and that he has been free to receive visitors since being released into house arrest on 7 July. On 14 November, the presiding international judge ruled that he will remain in house detention until 11 January 2008, but that he shall be free to leave the place of house detention between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily, except on days when the trial is taking place.

The Department will continue to monitor developments in the case, and I have asked my officials to keep the matter under review.