Operation "Pika 2" puts in handcuffs 26 police officers suspected of “Abuse of oficial duty and Taking bribes”
Prishtinë, April 8, 2022,
Police Inspectorate of Kosova by order of the Special Prosecution is carrying out today the operation codenamed "Pika 2" that has started in the early morning hours in Prizren, respectively at the border crossing point-Vërmica.
Today's operation was preceded by an investigation of about a year, with the suspicions of involvement in illegal activities for a number of police officers related to the criminal offenses of "Taking bribes" and "Abuse of official position or authority".
PIK investigators months ago received information through operational channels about suspicions of involvement in illegal activities of some police officers employed in the Regional Border Directorate "West" in Gjakova, respectively the border crossing point in Vermica.
With authorization of the Special Prosecution, in the framework of this investigation by PIK investigators included convert and technical measures of surveillance as well as the necessary measures to detect and preserve evidence of criminal offenses and items which can serve as evidence used during criminal proceedings.
Based on these successful investigative actions, PIK within this operation has arrested today 26 police officers (including two police sergeants and 24 police officers), all suspected of criminal offenses "Abuse of official duty or authority" and "Taking bribes."
From the implementation of investigative actions by PIK investigators there is a reasonable suspicion that the arrested in this case are involved in these criminal activities.
As part of the administrative procedures, PIK also provided the recommendation for suspension to the arrested officers.
The investigation has also included the cooperation with SPAK (Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime of the Republic of Albania), Police Oversight Agency - APS (counterpart agency of PIK in Albania) which has resulted in the arrest of several suspects in the Republic of Albania too. PIK investigators will continue to undertake other investigative actions in coordination with the Special Prosecution of Republic of Kosova.
