15 January 2014

Today, an international prosecutor from the Basic Prosecution Office filed an indictment in the Basic Court in Prizren against nine defendants. The case concerns the fraudulent acquiring of a property in the city center of Prishtinë/ Priština. The charges include Issuing Unlawful Judicial Decisions, in violation of Article 346 of the old Criminal Code of Kosovo (CCK); Abusing Official Position or Authority, in violation of article 339 of the old CCK; Fraud, in violation of article 261 of the old CCK and Organized Crime, in violation of article 274 of the old CCK. Among the defendants are a former Judge of the Municipal Court in Prishtinë/ Priština, and the former President of the Municipal Court in Prishtinë/ Priština.

The investigation was conducted by investigators from EULEX Police, assisted by Kosovo Police, led by the international prosecutor from the Basic Prosecution Office and a prosecutor from the Basic Prosecution Office in Prizren.

During this investigation, the Prosecution discovered evidence of other crimes, including Obstruction of Evidence or Official Proceedings, in violation of Article 394 and Intimidation During Criminal proceedings, in violation of Article 395 of the current CCK. In connection with these criminal offenses five Kosovo citizens were arrested. Three of them are currently in detention on remand. Two defendants are under House Detention. The former President of the Municipal Court in Prishtinë/ Priština is one of them. Upon request by the Prosecution this case has been severed by the Court in Prizren on 23 December 2013. The investigation into this incident continues.