EU Kosovo mission shaken by corruption allegations

The European Union mission in Kosovo (EULEX), established to help Kosovo develop its justice system and reduce corruption, urged Kosovars on 30 October 2014 not to lose trust over allegations at least two senior EULEX staff took bribes to drop criminal charges.

Citing leaked documents, the leading Kosovo daily Koha Ditore reported that at least two employees of the mission were being investigated on suspicion of dropping charges in at least three cases in return for money.

EUObserver carried on the 31 October 2014 a report of an interview with whistleblower Maria Bamieh, the British prosecutor at the heart of the corruption allegation.

On the 10 November 2014 Mrs Mogherini named Jean Paul Jacqué as an independent expert to review EULEX Kosovo mandate implementation with a focus on the handling of the corruption allegations.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-european-union-rule-of-law-mission-in-kosovo-eulex/

EU: EEAS: News, 30.10.14: Press Conference: Allegations of Corruption against EULEX are being pursued vigorously http://www.eulex-kosovo.eu/en/news/000528.php

Balkan Insight, 29.10.14: EU Kosovo Mission Accused of Tolerating Corruption http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/eu-kosovo-mission-accused-of-tolerating-corruption

EUObserver, 30.10.14: EU mission in Kosovo rocked by corruption allegations http://euobserver.com/justice/126319

EUObserver, 31.10.14: Whistleblower urges external probe into EU mission in Kosovo http://euobserver.com/foreign/126341

Balkan Insight, 31.10.14: Kosovo Murder Retrial Urged After EU Bribe Claims http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/money-was-collected-for-someone

Balkan Insight, 30.10.14: BIRN Interviews Prosecutor and Judge in EULEX Scandal http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/birn-interviews-prosecutor-and-judge-in-eulex-scandal

EUObserver, 04.11.14: EU officials upset MEPs on Kosovo corruption scandal http://euobserver.com/foreign/126369

EurActiv, 05.11.14: EU to appoint legal expert to investigate Kosovo mission http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/eu-appoint-legal-expert-investigate-kosovo-mission-309777

BBC News, 05.11.14: Kosovo EU bribe claims face independent inquiry http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29912404

The Guardian, 05.11.14: EU’s biggest foreign mission in turmoil over corruption row http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/05/eu-facing-questions-dismissal-prosecutor-alleged-corruption

Reporters Without Borders: Europe/Ex USSR: European Union: Investigative journalist receives threats from EU Kosovo mission, 03.11.14 http://en.rsf.org/kosovo-investigative-journalist-receives-31-10-2014,47187.html

The Guardian, 06.11.14: EU accused over its Kosovo mission: ‘Corruption has grown exponentially’ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/06/eu-accused-over-kosovo-mission-failings

Balkan Insight. 06.11.14: Kosovo Graft Claims Threaten EU’s Credibility, Say MEPs http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-graft-claims-threaten-eu-s-credibility-say-meps

Balkan Insight, 10.11.14: EU Appoints Legal Expert to Probe Kosovo Mission http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/eulex-welcomes-the-independent-investigator

EUObserver, 11.11.14: EU and Kosovo corruption: Scratching the surface? http://euobserver.com/investigations/126468

EU: EEAS: Statement, 10.11.14: Statement by EU High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the appointment of legal expert to review EULEX Kosovo mandate http://www.eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2014/141110_02_en.htm

---