PAVING THE “PATRIOTIC” HIGHWAY

ZVONKO VESELINOVIC

Zvonko Veselinovic: The former bridge-watcher was a key ringleader of the violent uprising against ’s government as it attempted to rein in the troubled north of the country from July 2011. He made his money from selling fuel in northern Kosovo, which was exempt from Serbian duties from 2005 but where was unable to collect taxes creating a de-facto duty free zone. He has since built up a network of transportation businesses and is currently involved in a 75m dollar, Belgrade-funded highway construction project. He admits to working with Arena Invest to transport construction material for the Pristina- highway.

ALEKSANDAR EURO-KOP VUCIC Based in Raska, , this Prime Minister of transportation firm is closely Serbia and leader linked to Zvonko Veselinovic. of the SNS, of It controlled 100 trucks, 30 of which Veselinovic which had been stolen from is a supporter. Austrian bank Hypo Alpe Adria He has backed Leasing. It’s owner, Dragan Veselinovic, arguing Curcic, was sentenced to two that he is a patriot and should years prison in February 2015 for not be prosecuted by Serbia. He “abuse of office” related to the intervened on behalf of Zvonko’s theft. Veselinovic was cleared brother, Zarko, providing state of the charge of “inciting the guarantees to the EU rule of law abuse of office”, although the mission, EULEX, allowing Zarko prosecution is set to appeal. to be released from prison and put under house arrest while he awaited trial.

ALEKSANDAR ARENA INVEST MIHAJLOVIC He is a shareholder of Arena Invest. Formed in 2009 in the north He unsuccessfully Kosovo town of Leposavic. stood in last year’s In 2010, it paid 111,000 euros parliamentary for a nearby quarry, close to elections in the Serbian border, which Kosovo for the pro-Belgrade produces Basalt, an important party Serbian component in road building. It List. He is also a is the only quarry of its kind in former director the region. of public services for Gracanica municipality, a Serb-enclave on the outskirts of Pristina.

AKAN BUJAR MUSA FADIL ISMAILI Another founding DEMIRI member of IPKO, of which Founded Kosovo’s he remains director. He is A senior figure in the second mobile phone a friend and landlord to , company, IPKO, making Foreign Minister Hashim he is best known for him a millionaire Thaci. He also owns running the logistics in and one of the most shares through the firm a key operation. The important businessmen Fundway. KLA’s political leadership, in the country. He was including Thaci, formed appointed by the then the PDK party when the PM Hashim Thaci to ended in 1999. serve from 2012 to early He now owns a string of 2015 as ambassador to companies in Kosovo, Washington DC, arguably including shares in Arena the most important job in Invest, and , where Kosovo foreign diplomacy. he is working with a He owns shares in Arena Serbian state-owned firm Invest through another on dams. firm, Fundway.

HASHIM THACI Leader of Kosovo’s biggest party, PDK, he was Prime Minister from 2007 to 2014, when he became Foreign Minister. He was the political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army. He has used two official speeches to criticise Zvonko Veselinovic, referring to his “mentality” and “violence”.