The Kosovo Law Institute (KLI) has published the report "Performance of Justice in the Prosecution and Trial of Corruption", which presents findings on the handling of corruption cases during 2024 and the first nine months of 2025.
During the presentation, KLI senior researcher Gzim Shala said that out of the 11 accused of high-profile corruption, only 3 of them were accused while holding official duty, while 72.7% of the other persons were accused only after they left official duty.
He added that in the first nine months of 2025 the situation changes.
"Of the 4 accused officials, only one is accused as a former official, while the other three are accused for the positions they still hold," the announcement states.
According to him, for 2024, the situation has been even more problematic, emphasizing that of the 7 accused of high-profile corruption, none of them have been charged during the time they held official positions, while the State Prosecutor has suffered a regression in the handling of the number of cases, because during the relevant period he has not been able to handle as many cases as he has accepted.
Shala also criticized the lack of requests for sequestration and confiscation of illegally obtained property, saying that "in only seven cases was a request for sequestration or confiscation made... while in 29 cases such a request was not made."
He emphasized that only "in 19% of indictments the State Prosecutor has requested seizure... while 81% of indictments have been filed without such a proposal."
Shala warned of an increase in the number of cases at the Prosecutor's Office.
"This institution began 2024 with 583 cases... at the end of the first nine (9) months of 2025, the number of cases rose to 880."
Supreme Court Judge Afrim Shala also spoke at the roundtable, saying that “the judicial system has achieved over 100% efficiency in handling corruption cases, showing continuous improvement.” He recalled that there were challenges in 2022, but “from 2022 onwards we have seen significant progress.”
Appeals Judge Afërdita Bytyqi stated that corruption cases are handled quickly.
“maximum within three months… and only in exceptional cases can it last up to a year.” She explained that the delays in old cases “were related to the complexity of the cases.
Prosecutor Zef Prendrecaj said that the report is necessary for transparency.
"We welcome the findings and conclusions... which help strengthen the rule of law."
Meanwhile, member of the Prosecutorial Council, Arian Gashi, said that only "48% of corruption indictments have been brought to court during 2024", adding that in 2025 there is an increase to 60%.
Lawyer Albulena Ukimeri criticized the lack of focus on high-profile cases, saying: “High-profile criminal prosecution remains on the periphery… every delay is a loss of public trust.”
EU representative Alfons Lentz said that "high-level corruption cases are not given due attention," raising concern about the lack of an Anti-Corruption Strategy:
"We don't have an Anti-Corruption Strategy... and this hinders addressing the most complex cases."
The roundtable also discussed the evidence that the prosecution uses in indictments and their admissibility by the courts, as well as procedural challenges.
The publication of the report served as a platform for reflection on progress and challenges in the fight against corruption, paving the way for concrete recommendations for improving efficiency and transparency in the justice system. /Telegrafi/
