17 May 2012

Today, a mixed panel of two EULEX judges and one local judge at Pristina District Court acquitted N.H. and L.R. of the criminal offence of abusing official position or authority.

N.H., director General of Kosovo Customs, and L.R., Head of the Legal directorate of Kosovo Customs, were accused of granting further imports of tobacco in Kosovo exceeding the import limits allowed for 2008.

The decision to grant further importation of tobacco was allegedly based on political influence and contrary to any sound legal reasoning. This enabled companies to import tobacco with a lower excise rate, causing a material loss of over 5.000,00 Euro to the Kosovo budget.

The trial panel acquitted N.H. and L.R. because it was not proven that any of the accused committed the act they were charged with.

A EULEX prosecutor from Kosovo’s Special Prosecution Office has announced that he is appealing the judgment.