Over the course of the past three weeks, you have read in your morning newspaper and seen on TV several accusations about actions of some members of EULEX. We have not responded to each and every one of these accusations. However, let me be very clear: EULEX takes allegations seriously. We have a zero tolerance policy towards corruption, and I confirm my personal commitment to consistently apply this policy.

Although "beyond any doubt" was determined that the war crime in village Opteruša was committed by a group, the Supreme Court presided by EULEX Judge recently convicted two persons - Ejup Kabashi (designated as the leader of the attack) and Sokol Bitici on two years in prison.

The EU’s mission in Kosovo is ensnared by corruption claims
Nov 15th 2014 | From the print edition

KOSOVO is agog and Brussels horrified. Allegations have been made that a judge was bribed in a murder case and the European Union’s police and justice mission, Eulex, failed to investigate properly. Maria Bamieh, the former British investigator behind the allegations, accuses Eulex of fabricating evidence against her and dispensing “Milosevic-style justice”.

Special envoy from Brussels for the affair over corruption in EULEX will undergo investigation which will include as many as 18 people.

The EU High Representative Federica Mogherini has appointed an independent expert Jean-Paul Jacques for a special investigator in this case and he arrived to Kosovo. Sources in Brussels say that their work will include 18 key people in the European mission and the local special prosecutor's office.

Wide checks

Florian Qehaja,  analyst from Pristina

Generally speaking, there is no doubt that the effect of EULEX mission was limited, bringing only few results compared to the expectations and goals that mission had. The satisfaction which prevailed in the European External Action Service because of EULEX, the largest EU mission in the world, was seriously shaken by the small efficiency of the mission, told Danas Florian Qehaja, executive director of the Kosovo Centre for Security Studies in Pristina.

Andrea Capussela
10 November 2014

 
The Maria Bamieh revelations on corruption inside the European rule of law mission in Kosovo, although not promptly investigated, appear to lack any real basis. Clearing the mission on a circumscribed scandal, however, will likely reduce the urgency for a much needed audition of its record overall

While Prosecutor Maia Bamiah still suffers EULEX sanctions, because she should face EULEX Disciplinary Committee, EULEX scandal spreads quickly.

Publishing of EULEX scandal has given results. Nazim Bllaca’s family has left Kosovo on Wednesday, for security reasons, reports Koha Ditore. It was sheltered at a safe place. EULEX has initiated investigations against a group, where deputy Azem Syla is involved.

Suspended Eulex prosecutor has emerged as a folk hero to many ordinary Kosovans

Julian Borger
The Guardian, Wednesday 5 November 2014 18.35 GMT

As soon as Maria Bamieh decided to go to the press with allegations of corruption and cover-up, officials from the EU’s rule of law mission began briefing aggressively against her, depicting her as a mediocre prosecutor, bitter and possibly unbalanced at having been made redundant.

“They made her sound like some kind of bag-woman,” said a former colleague.

Will the EU mission in Kosovo ‘sink’ due to allegations on corruption within the EULEX? As stated, in EULEX affair are involved a former boss, one former and several current prosecutors and one judge of this mission, Pristina, Sarajevo and Belgrade media, including the Brussels.