Professor Xhevat Krasniqi, who taught at the University of Pristina, has been denounced by 27 students of the Faculty of Medicine for sexual harassment. He has been reported to the Council of Ethics and for the moment, until the case is clarified, he has been suspended from office.
The testimonies
One of his students, Anita Mjeku, spoke for "Good Morning Albanians" and showed that the professor took one of the students to the office to ask them about the subject and there he sexually harassed them.
Anita said:
"The professor called the students to the office to ask them one by one and closed the door, which is against the law, because the door should remain open. He told one of them to give her a massage and approached her to hug her. He hugged her against her will. Former students have shared the same experience. It is the same professor who was suspended due to sexual harassment".
A testimony from an anonymous girl (it is not known if she is the one Anita was talking about), recounted her experience with the professor:
"I went in to consult with the professor in question and to see where he had deducted 0.5 points from my exam. Not only did I not get the answer, but I left that office shocked, with a not at all moral and professional answer", said the girl, who submitted her complaint to the Ethics Council.
"I am quoting his words: "I am fair in assessment and thus I am fair. Whenever you want, I'll give you a massage." He showed me the word "massage" with his hands and came close to hug me", continued the girl.
Protests against the professor
The students of the Council of Ethics at the University of Pristina protested the event, and even confronted the professor, saying that he has committed such gestures. "You told me do you want me to give you a massage! Admit that you were also expelled from other universities for sexual harassment. Accept who you are! I was afraid a year ago, but today I'm not anymore! I appear in front of everyone", said the student who had submitted her complaint to the Council.
Even the Student Feminist Movement in Kosovo protested, placing some tapes on the professor's door and thus describing his office as a "crime scene".
"He has been suspended twice for sexual harassment, once from the University of Gjakova and the other time from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Pristina. He cannot continue lecturing at the university. Therefore, he does not even need the office, the place where many girls have testified that they have been harassed. Sexual harassment is a crime", says the reaction of the Student Feminist Movement.
The next step is up to the competent prosecution bodies.
The investigative process
Meanwhile, following the recommendation of the Ethics Council, a criminal case was filed, which will clarify exactly what happened. The spokesperson of the prosecution, Mrs. Laureta Ulaj announced that the testimonies are being collected and statements are being taken from the people involved in the case.
"The Basic Prosecutor's Office in Pristina, according to official duty, has initiated a case regarding the criminal offense of 'sexual harassment', according to the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo. The prosecution has authorized the police to undertake investigative actions, to gather evidence and information related to this case. Currently, the statements of the persons involved in this case are being taken, as well as other investigative actions are being carried out, according to the provisions of the KPPRK."
As we said above, the University of Pristina "Hasan Prishtina" has suspended the professor from his post.
