Devolli Dilemma: Kosovo's Oligarchs, Diplomatic Entanglements, and the Echoes of Trade Malpractice
Devolli Dilemma: Kosovo's Oligarchs, Diplomatic Entanglements, and the Echoes of Trade Malpractice
The Devolli saga: A deep dive into alleged tax embezzlement, dubious international ties, and the shadow of trade malpractice shaking Kosovo's political and economic landscape.
Today, I encountered a terrifying phenomenon which compels me to write. The Devolli family, oligarchs purportedly involved in embezzling Kosovo's taxes for two decades, are central to this narrative. Their dealings with various political parties, those ousted in Kosovo's February 2021 election results, are intricate and concerning. The Devollis own KLAN Kosova and Art Motion, companies accused of registering in Serbia with Kosovo's city names, thus undermining Kosovo's sovereignty, and disseminating misinformation supporting Serbia's political stance against the Republic of Kosovo. A European Parliament report on misinformation has pinpointed KLAN Kosova as a major player in portraying Kosovo as incapable of sustaining international relations.
Moreover, the silence of numerous media outlets, including reputed ones like KOHA, Kallxo.com, and BIRN affiliates, is alarming. This is especially so in the face of ongoing investigations by the US International Trade Administration into the Devollis' corporation, Ventius International LLC, for purported violations of U.S. Dumping Laws. The reluctance of Kosovan media to report on the Devollis indicates a widespread fear.
Why is this story crucial for Kosovo's media to cover?
The Devolli Corporation employs many in Kosovo, but their business appears to be waning and teetering on bankruptcy. The employees, potentially facing unemployment, deserve to be informed so they can make well-considered decisions about their futures. Responsible media should fulfil its duty to inform the public, enabling them to make informed choices. However, it seems even those outlets I previously considered serious are held back, possibly due to allegiances, ties, or a professional inability to grasp the stakes involved.
Further compounding the issue is the endorsement of the Devollis by influential figures, such as Ambassador Jeff Hovenier at the U.S. Embassy in Prishtina. Ambassador Jeff Hovenier is observed appeasing Kremlin-aligned Serbia's territorial and constitutional aggression over Kosovo and meddling in Kosovo's internal affairs. This includes (as some allege) influencing the delay in charging Milan Radoicic, leader of a Belgrade-backed paramilitary operation of Banjska attack in Sept 2023, and offering unwavering support for the Kosovo Media Commissioner's decision to rebroadcast channels that glorified Belgrade-backed paramilitary personnel killed while trying to annex northern Kosovo. The impact on the families of Kosovar police officers slain by this group, witnessing their loved ones' killers glorified as heroes on TV, is unimaginable. Such situations underscore the grave concerns about external influences on Kosovo's sovereignty and national security. The Devollis, appears to be consistently linked to pro-Kremlin activities and the undermining of Kosovo's territorial and constitutional integrity, are perceived as a direct threat to national security.
It is deeply concerning that when Kosovo rightfully sought accountability from the media outlet "KLAN Kosova" for its actions challenging the constitutional integrity of Kosovo and favouring Serbia's claims, the ambassador and several international organisations, seemingly influenced by Russian-styled "active measures", were quick to criticise and depict Kosovo's legal pursuit of accountability as a "violation of press freedom." The government of Kosovo did not demand a change in narrative, which, in any case, contradicted the principles of ethical and professional journalism. In fact, KLAN Kosova's persistent dissemination of misinformation and propaganda was noted in a report by the European Parliament.
Allegations of Trade Malpractice and Potential Diplomatic Entanglements
The recent developments surrounding the Devolli's company, Ventius International LLC, warrant a closer examination. On March 1st, the U.S. Department of Commerce made a preliminary determination that mattresses imported from Kosovo by Ventius International, a subsidiary of the Devolli Group, are being sold in the United States at less than fair value, a practice known as "dumping." This has led to an extensive investigation into the company's practices.