Civil society seeks from Chief Prosecutor Lumezi investigation into the millions given to Bechtelão

Several civil society organisations have written a letter to Kosovo Chief Prosecutor Alexander Lumezi, through which they ask him to initiate investigative measures.

“We, civil society organisations and signed individuals, think that this case would have to serve as an alarm for the Prosecutor of the Republic of Kosovo to investigate the possibility of an abuse of public money of enormity”, Lumez wrote in the letter sent.

Full letter:

Kosovo's budget several days ago lost 53m euros with a single government decision. He lost them because these vehicles did not go for the construction of additional kilometers of the road, but as punishment for not fulfilling contract obligations on the part of the Kosovo government. These tools from the joint wallet ended up in the bank accounts of a private consortium. Another suspicious here is how a vague loss of 14 million in 2017 rose to 53 million within a few months. When it comes to such large sums and, as earlier cases of international arbitration testified, serious doubts are raised that no meeting contract obligations are intentional and in full co-ordination with the contractor. The lack of prosecutorial response in earlier cases has created the ease of mismanagement of public funds. Any violation of the law should receive due punishment, but violations of such size would have to alarm us at the national level. If chronic poverty fatigued Kosovo is so easily robbed of 53m euros, how can this society foster trust in its citizens and aspire to be a rule of law? We should be aware that this is the greatest loss of public money, at least publicly known. Therefore, not investigating this urgently would be a serious launch of the Prosecutor's Institute. Honored Kosovo chief prosecutor, the extortion of 53m euros has the address of institutions, has decisions made by these institutions and relevant documents (special contracts) that can easily reveal the names of the legal responsible for this plunder of public wealth. It is your legal and moral duty to investigate this work to the end and in this civil society will stand by your side, but also in your oversight. Kosovo citizens have passed the immune test on corruption. In all research, low-level corruption (during the interaction between citizens and the state) is at the lowest levels in the region. But, as the measurements of opinion show, this test is by no means passing through the current political class, which through harsh intervention continues to undermine the independence of the judiciary and ensure impunity for itself and the people close to them. Because of these politicians, citizens of this country continue to remain the only isolated European citizens. Honored chief prosecutor, in the coming days you will be seen whether you will pass this test, observing whether you will fulfill your constitutional and legal obligations and vows that you hear from you and your subordinates to all the forums you attend. Or you will choose to remain silent, closing your eyes to this obvious occasion. If you choose to remain silent, we remind you that this society will hold you accountable and that you will no longer have any moral and legal reason to remain in your position. Organisations Signed the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies INDEP D+ Movement FOL Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) Sbonker