The joint Kosovo-Albania operation led to the arrest of around 60 border officers suspected of corruption
The joint Kosovo-Albania operation led to the arrest of around 60 border officers suspected of corruption
The authorities of Kosovo and Albania, during a coordinated operation on Friday, have arrested dozens of officers suspected of misuse of official duties and taking bribes. Gazeta Express has learned that around 60 policemen and customs officers have been arrested on both sides of the border.
The Police Inspectorate of Kosovo and the Special Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kosovo (PSRK) have launched an action on Friday morning at the border point Vermica with Albania. The operation from the side of the Kosovar border ended with 26 officers arrested, including two sergeants. Even the Police Inspectorate has recommended their suspension. The police and the PSRK in a joint press release said that today’s operation came after a year-long investigation with investigative cover-up measures. Today’s operation was a continuation of the action of the past months with the code Point 1 where 50 policemen and customs officials were arrested. They were suspected of taking bribes.
Today’s operation was coordinated with the Albanian authorities, who on their side of the border arrested dozens of officers working at the Verçime point. According to the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), 32 police officers were arrested during today’s operation. Among those arrested is the director of the Directorate of Border and Migration in Kukës. They allegedly allowed the smuggling of goods and helped people with legal problems to cross the border. Of those arrested on the Albanian side of the border, 17 have been detained, while three others have been suspended from work. /Express newspaper/