Kosovo police forces arrested 48 border police and two custom officials on charges of bribery following a year-long anti-corruption operation.
Chief Prosecutor Aleksandër Lumezi revealed the details during a press conference on Monday.
“Today we were informed that 50 state officials have been arrested, 48 belonging to Kosovo Police, and two officials of the Kosovo Customs Service. Other people are on the run, and some are not citizens of Kosovo,” Lumezi announced.
According to Lumezi, the Prosecution began to surveil custom points at the border with Albania in May 2021 after receiving information that officers were receiving bribes.
Head of the Kosovo Inspectorate, Kushtrim Hodaj said that the arrested had received some 400 bribes between them.
Officers are being charged with bribery and abuse of office. They have been suspended and will undergo disciplinary hearings.
According to BIRN, officers took bribes to let vehicles pass without proper documentation and for contraband goods, among other illegal activities.
