Foreign embassies call for seizure of illegal property of state officials

By the motto “Justice restores the dignity of victims”, today is marked the 10th anniversary of the Crime Victims Week. As long as the punishment of the perpetrators has been sought, it has been mentioned by foreign embassies in Kosovo, and the seizure of the officials' property, where they think they should return to the citizens of the country.

Chief State Prosecutor Alexander Lumezi vowed that they have strengthened morals for law enforcement. Do not uncover and punish crimes, he said he risks repeating crime.

It's hard to talk about justice and rehabilitation of victims without the punishment of crime, so we all have to commit more to punishing the perpetrators as well as protecting the victims of crime. These two sides share the same values because in one democratic society the interests of the state and the victims are closely linked. Not to reveal and not to punish the perpetrators has consequences for both the state and the victims of crime, and it could happen that crime that is not punished even to repeat”, Lumez said.

Lumez said state prosecutors should assure citizens that the law is the force that makes freedom possible.

The chief state prosecutor said that it must be worked on capacity building so that these victims do not suffer fatally, as has happened.

And Supreme Court Chairman Enver Peci said Kosovo does not lack legislation, but as a country is liquefying on its implementation.

And we have the law before ourselves and we are obliged to ensure justice for each citizen today... our citizens expect that the judicial system, but also the prosecutor, will act decisively and at the same time enforce the law in accordance with each case's facts and evidence. We can't be influenced by anyone. Clearly, we dare not, and it is unforgivable, to be tolerant of human rights offenders, we dare not forgive the perpetrators of criminal acts. But at the same time, it is not allowed to be condemned without respect for each of his provisions”, he said.

Representatives of the United States, Great Britain, and Switzerland also attended the event.

US Deputy Ambassador Nicholas Giacobe has said in his address that the American state is here to help Kosovo in this regard.

“It takes courage and determination to report a crime after traumatic experience. The complex judicial procedures can be a burden to the victim, and that only adds to the trauma. We need to understand that it takes strength to report a crime case and we also need to realize that this is not enough. The judicial system should also enable that when the victim reports one case they also receive the protection they need”, he said.

Citing the occasion when in Gjakova, Peter Noecaj had killed his wife and daughter, even though his wife had reported the case of violence several times, he said Kosovo must consistently implement orders for protection in cases of domestic violence.

While representatives from the Swiss Embassy in Kosovo, Katarina Stoker, have demanded that corruption be fought and illegally acquired property be returned to citizens.

Corruption is not just a ethical issue, but it systematically affects people's lives. Kosovo has so far had limited success in sanctioning corruption cases. So, we have a small number of property seizures, officials take advantage of the wealth gained from crime. It is impressive that illegally acquired or stolen property should be confiscated, and returned to Kosovo citizens”, she said.

Basri Kastrati, manager of the office for the protection of the victims, vowed that the commitment of justice bodies to the protection of these victims would continue during 365 days not only this week.