Seized assets in a value of 31 million euros in 2014, a few confiscation decisions

Prishtina, February 2, 2015 – FOL Movement held the debate on the topic Confiscation of the property in Kosovo – institutions annual performance. In this debate was discussed in particular about the performance of the National Coordinator against Economic Crimes.

Kushtrim Palushi, stated that the office of the National Coordinator for Fighting Economic Crimes has passed a year of its establishment and in the context of this debate the goal is to make a presentation of the annual performance of this institution.

The National Coordinator for Fighting Economic Crimes, Mr. Shqipdon Fazliu said that there’s been a year since this office is functionalized and that despite the challenges the justice system in Kosovo is facing they have achieved success in their work.

According to him, during 2013 the seized property has been only 1.6 million, whereas in 2014 this property has increased in value of 31 million euros. Seized property in 2014, belongs also to senior officials and politicians, but we are expecting the decisions of the court for confiscation, Fazliu said.

Furthermore, Faziu stated that the office he is managing has no executive power but the office has more the role of making recommendations. Among the recommendations that we have given for 2014 had to do with reviewing the performance evaluation of all investigators in Police, Customs, Anti-Corruption Agency, KTA and any other institution of law enforcement. We think that the evaluation of performance should be made based on the results and achievements of each Police investigators or prosecutors. Another recommendation that would have a chain effect in the judicial system has to do with the Punitive Policy, this recommendation has to do exclusively with the KJC and Courts of the country. We think that about a significant number of cases, the sentences of the courts of the country were minimal considering the offense committed. Mr. Fazliu added that despite the recommendations they made, they have no idea whether any of them is taken into account by the competent institutions.

The seized property during 2014 is 31 million euros. Among this value, over 1 million is cash, over 17 apartments, 8 villas, 11 houses, 2 buildings, 1 hotel, 6 business premises, 30 kg gold, as well as restaurants, factories, clinics etc. Regarding the seized property we have about 15 court decisions which amounts to around 25 thousand euros, which will go to the state budget. So now we are not only dealing with seizure but also with confiscation of the property. There are currently 18 cases already in trials and we are awaiting the court verdicts, said Fazliu.
The Office of the National Coordinator against Economic Crime is working on increasing transparency and the goal is to provide public access to all final judgments including all the specifics of judgments.

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