14 June 2013

This morning at the Basic Court of Pejë/Peć a mixed panel of two Eulex Judges and one Kosovo Judge, presided over by a Eulex Judge, convicted and sentenced the defendants, K.P. and A.R. for the Offence of Abuse of Official Position or Authority committed in co-perpetration.

The panel decided there was sufficient evidence so as to be sure the defendants had together participated in an illegal procedure at the Municipal Court of Klina in June 2005 which resulted in a loss of €71,257.40 to the Insurance Association of Kosovo – Compulsory Insurance Unit in Prishtina. At the time K.P. was a Judge and A.R. was a lawyer representing the Insurance Association of Kosovo.

The defendant, K.P. pleaded guilty on 29th January 2013 and was today sentenced to a period of one year and six months imprisonment. He was also disqualified from holding an official position or practicing as a lawyer for a period of three years each following his release. The defendant, A.R. pleaded not guilty but was convicted and was also sentenced to a period of one year and six months imprisonment. The trial panel ordered both defendants to compensate the Insurance Association of Kosovo in the amount of €71,257.40 and declared them jointly and severally liable for this.

The case was prosecuted by a Kosovo prosecutor form the Kosovo Special Prosecution Office (SPRK). All parties have the right to appeal.