23 Police Officials Charged for Corruption Refuse to Blame

Periskopi

18 March 2024, 11:55(2 years ago)

In the initial review held Monday, 23 police officials charged with corruption have not pleaded guilty. That same statement was made after the indictment was considered read. Prosecutor Ilir Morina also invited those accused of making agreements to his office [...]

That same statement was made after the indictment was considered read.

Prosecutor Ilir Morina also invited to his office those accused of making arrangements to plead guilty.

Meanwhile, the lawyers demanded that the investigation be provided and the order for secret measures, after saying they have not yet accepted them.

Charged in this case are: Ahmet Kasumaj, Ahmet Shabanaj, Agim Hadrgjaj, Besimi Lokaj, Fatmir Sadiku, Fazli Gjonbalaj, Gani Ahmeti, Guzim Hoxhaj, Guzim Shaban, Gezim Turkaj, Hakki Dobraj, Hammaz Puka, Hyse Hasani, Isa Dobraj, Ismet Tahiraj, Lumaj, Mergim Beka, Rasim, Tokem Meta, Zejer Hajdaj, Xhevdej Hakdejtttej and Valon Hoxha, police officials.

Otherwise, the Special Prosecutor of the Republic of Kosovo (PSRK) on December 26th 2023 has filed charges against 23 police officials, who are charged with corruption committed at the Qafe-Morine border checkpoint.

In the indictment, which has provided “Justice Trust”, it is said that in the period of time, August 2021 until January 2022, at the border checkpoint “Qafe Morine”, in the Gjakova region, the high-ranking in the quality of official persons, that of police for border control, deliberately and consistently, individually and in co-ordination, have misused official office.

Always according to the indictment, these police officials are charged with accepting bribes from citizens of Kosovo and Albania in order to be allowed to enter the territory of Kosovo.

All of this according to the indictment, in violation of the Law on Control and Supervision of the State Border, the Law for the Police of Kosovo, and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo's decisions on general and separate measures for control, prevention and combating the COVID-19 pandemic.

So, according to the PSRK file, all police officials are being charged individually or even in co-ordination for criminal work “taking bribes”. In contrast, accused Agim Haderjany, Mergim Bekaj, Ismet Tahiraj, Ahmet Kasumaj, Isa Dobraj and Fatmir Sadiku are also charged with “Using official duty or authority”.

On the other hand, in the indictment under the evidence video footage has been listed to testify to the actions of the accused.

Also, in some cases in the indictment are the communications that accused people deal with citizens, allowing them to cross the border without assessing whether they meet the conditions.

Always according to the indictment, the accused are said to have received money from citizens of Kosovo and Albania in indefinite sums, and all until the same were working on the quality of police officials. /Betimy for Justice