AKK exercises criminal speculation of corruption against some senior officials, some ministers

Anti-Corruption Agency Director Shaip Havolly in an interview for Kosovo Preress says that figure may be even higher than 90 cases, but that shows they are working closely with the prosecution in terms of these corruption cases.

As he adds, there are also a number of cases that have been sent to the police for further investigation.

Director Havolly has also invited all senior public officials to declare their property, as according to him, it is a small number of those who have declared so far, only 470 officials.

“We are dealing with cases where criminal charges were exercised against ministers, to (heads) government cabinets, to directors of public companies, to various asmblists, to permanent secretaries and many high levels that the agency has exercised criminal speculation concerning misuse of official office. But the details will be in the Agency's annual report, where the nature of cases and causes of these criminal charges are specified... If we specifically talk about cases, then we're going to publicize even the lead performers of these, I wouldn't have said to talk about specific cases, because even the Law on Agency prohibits this”, Havol says.

The AKK head stresses that the nature of high-level corruption concerns issues of political influence, tenders, nepotism and public currency abuse.

The nature of what we've penalised these senior officials, starting with reports of auditing and procurement issues, employment issues, political influences, abuse and nepotism, as well as various forms that you'll have in your annual report”, he points out.

Director Havolly has also spoken about the process of declaring property that this year is beginning to take place in the online system because of pandemic.

The statement started on March 1st and ends on 31st this month, where the legal obligation to declare the property has 4 thousand and 880 senior officials.

Havol says that in the first two weeks, there is a very small number of senior officials who have declared property, only 470 officials.

That's why Havol has asked officials not to wait until the end of the months, not to cause, as he said problems in the online system.

The “is a very small number (those who have declared wealth so far) and then especially in the last week to declare it. Nearly last week, based on the dynamic that is going on, it causes us some 4 thousand officials to declare the property within a week that completely block the access system, whether it's info, or new address, and thus causes us problems, because we can't control all of these forms and if they're completely met with the law we re-return it to complete the senior official. So I appeal to them to declare their wealth over time, but not to leave it in the last ten days, as there is also a delay in the declaration of wealth, and these delays in the event there is reasoning can also be criminalised against them”, Havol notes.

The AKK leader says it is a large number of senior officials who have been convicted or filed an indictment for contempt, false statements and statements after deadlines in the past year.

While he said it is a significant number who have exercised criminal speculation, but the prosecution has filed an indictment and the court has brought a conviction case, in addition to declaring the property are more than 60 cases.

While in terms of conflict of interest, the agency has handled about 150 cases in 2020.

Director Havolly has in the end stressed that it is true that there are very high penalties from courts for corruption cases, but, however, it is a better performance compared to the agency's past.