EULEX searches ministry in Priština

EULEX police on Wednesday searched the office and apartment belonging to Kosovo Albanian government minister Fatmir Limaj. Limaj is described as a close associate of Hashim Thaci. He is also known as a former member of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). EULEX searches ministry in Pristina Limaj was indicted for war crimes by the Hague Tribunal, but was then acquitted of all charges. Media in Pristina reported that the operation came on suspicion that there was corruption in the Infrastructure and Telecommunications Ministry of the Kosovo Albanian government, which is headed by Limaj. Police and EULEX investigators confiscated documents during the search. They also seized papers from companies that, according to media reports, were involved in jobs given by the ministry. EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, chief Yves de Kermabon and “ambassadors of five influential countries” met with officials, including Thaci and Limaj, in Pristina last night to discuss the police raids. Meantime, the government in Pristina has been rattled by the EULEX move, said reports. Limaj addressed reporters to say that he would “continue to work on projects that had been started”, and that he was at the disposal of investigative organs. Previously, media in Pristina speculated that “western intelligence agencies” gave Thaci the name of one of the ministers from his party, who was allegedly involved in stealing “at least EUR 10mn”. EULEX confirmed on Thursday morning that its investigators conducted a search of the Kosovo Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication and of several private residences of individuals connected with the ministry. The investigation and searches are related to several tenders regarding road construction in the period from 2007-2009. The searches have been approved by the judge of the Pristina District Court, the statement reads. EULEX stressed that, in this phase, the search is of entirely investigative character, adding that the collected material will be carefully analyzed by the Kosovo police and Special Prosecutor's Office. EULEX police in Pristina yesterday (Beta)

EULEX searches ministry in Priština

Limaj was indicted for war crimes by the Hague Tribunal, but was then acquitted of all charges.

Media in Priština reported that the operation came on suspicion that there was corruption in the Infrastructure and Telecommunications Ministry of the Kosovo Albanian government, which is headed by Limaj.

Police and EULEX investigators confiscated documents during the search. They also seized papers from companies that, according to media reports, were involved in jobs given by the ministry.

EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, chief Yves de Kermabon and “ambassadors of five influential countries” met with officials, including Thaci and Limaj, in Priština last night to discuss the police raids.

Meantime, the government in Priština has been rattled by the EULEX move, said reports.

Limaj addressed reporters to say that he would “continue to work on projects that had been started”, and that he was at the disposal of investigative organs.

Previously, media in Priština speculated that “western intelligence agencies” gave Thaci the name of one of the ministers from his party, who was allegedly involved in stealing “at least EUR 10mn”.

EULEX confirmed on Thursday morning that its investigators conducted a search of the Kosovo Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication and of several private residences of individuals connected with the ministry.

The investigation and searches are related to several tenders regarding road construction in the period from 2007-2009. The searches have been approved by the judge of the Priština District Court, the statement reads.

EULEX stressed that, in this phase, the search is of entirely investigative character, adding that the collected material will be carefully analyzed by the Kosovo police and Special Prosecutor's Office.