4 minutes agoA month of detention required for police and customs officers
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)Kosovo's Special Prosecutor has asked the Pristina Constitutional Court to pronounce a month-long detention measure for 50 police and customs officials, suspected of “bribe taking” and “misusing official position or authority”. The detention hearing for the move was launched at 10:00 at the Pristina Foundation Court, one day [...]
The detention measure hearing has started at 10:00 at the Pristina Foundation Court, a day after the Kosovo Police Inspectorate action, where defendants were arrested.
According to the request for the detention measure, the defendants -- in the quality of police and customs officials from February to December 2021 -- reportedly at the Qafe Prush border crossing, acting in an organized manner or individually, with the aim of obtaining material for themselves and others -- have misused official duty by accepting bribes from Kosovo and Albania citizens, enabling them to enter Kosovo's territory through avoidance of customs fees.
On March 14, 48 police officers and two customs officials were arrested. The head of the Kosovo Police Inspectorate, Kufi Hodaj, said those arrested have allegedly participated in over 400 bribery activities at the Qafe Prush and Qafe Morina border points, linking Kosovo and Albania.
The inspector has already taken measures to suspend arrested policemen.
Meanwhile, the Special Prosecutor has indicated that the investigation into the case was launched a year ago against 68 people, and some persons are still on the run, including citizens of Albania.
Among those arrested, according to the IPK there are two police lieutenants, five deputies and two customs officials.
This IPK operation, according to authorities, has also been supported by the Kosovo Agency for Intelligence, Kosovo Customs and the Kosovo Police.
