Kosovo: NATO Peacekeepers Probed For Organized Crime

"Some KFOR soldiers are under suspicion of having been involved in the case of fuel smuggling, tax evasion, and misuse of economic authorization" the NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo stated. The KFOR’s announcement came right after the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) stated it has detained five persons within its ongoing investigation into organized crime.

“Following the searches, the EULEX prosecutor from Pristina District Court authorized the arrest and police detention of five suspects. The remaining two suspects are currently abroad,” the EULEX’s statement was quoted by B92.

Neither KFOR nor EULEX revealed the nationality or any details on the accused. A source from an international organization, who asked not to be named, told the Associated Press the peacekeepers in question were Ukrainian solders who are currently facing disciplinary sanctions back home.

The 10,000-strong peacekeeping forces led by the NATO, were placed in Kosovo in 1999, right after the NATO bombing of Serbia was ended.

Kosovo declared independence of Serbia in February 2008, and the 3,000 – member EU rule of law mission was established in December same year.

However, the organized crime in Kosovo still remains a serious problem.

According to the estimate of the UNMIK, the United nations mission in Kosovo, in 2008 the organized crime accounted for 15-20 percent of the economy.

The recent EULEX-led investigations related arrests included some of the highest Kosovo officials such as the Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo, an ex Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Health, a former Pristina District Court judge, and an IT administrator in the Kosovo Government.