This is Kosovo's frightening North criminal profile

Among the charges weighing on those arrested are smuggling, taking bribes, fraud, and so on.

Since the end of the war here, Kosovo's north has been the most frightening and criminalised country. Global Initiative made a profile of this area describing its main characteristics.

The country's north is a region [like] area of some 1,200 square miles [1,200 sq km], meaning over 10 percent of our Republic's total territory. The population is about 80 thousand, out of whom 70 thousand belong to Serbian ethnicity.

Global Institute says about the north that “has been a grey zone, as Kosovo authorities and the international community have exercised little authority over this territory since then.

Being the gray [hair] zone of the north has become quite attractive to criminals from around the Balkans. The Serbian government estimates that it spends about 500 million euros annually, or how much of the annual budget of the Republic of Kosovo.

During 2005/11, the Government of Serbia decided to remove the tax on goods sold in northern Kosovo, aimed at helping this community. But this turned that area into another zero tax risk, where fuel prices, cars and consumer goods became noticeably cheaper than in other parts of Kosovo. In 2011, Belgrade annulled this decision, Periscope follows.

But what is particularly noted for the north is smuggling. It “is so widespread that it is considered a common economic activity” said in the GI report.

The number of crimes for 2013-2017 is also alarming. 14 private cars had been set on fire, in 23 private homes, and the area's businesses had had explosives thrown. In addition, Serb members of the Kosovo Security Forces were also attacked. [ Footnote] KSF.

The mostly burly smuggling is fuel, while then there are construction materials, medicine, cars, cigarettes, food, drinks and others.

It is estimated that Kosovo's budget of over 35m euros a year is equivalent to illegal activities taking place in the north. /Periscope