Thaci minister “could get 55 years”

Source: Tanjug
PRIŠTINA -- Fatmir Limaj is suspected of money laundry, organized crime, abuse of office, fraud and bribe receiving.

This is according to acting Chief EULEX Prosecutor and State Prosecutor at the Supreme Court of Kosovo Johan Van Vreeswijk.

The office and house of the Kosovo Albanian transport and telecommunications minister, a former member of the KLA, was searched in Priština by EULEX police last week.

In an interview published by Albanian language daily Koha Ditore, Van Vreeswijk said that the Kosovo law envisages a sentence of up to 55 years in prison for those offenses.

He also said that he was displeased by the comments made by Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci and other Kosovo officials on the investigation in the Limaj case.

The EULEX official guaranteed “Kosovo officials and citizens that EULEX has evidence for this case” and that he is conducting an investigation in another six cases of corruption and organized crime.

Van Vreeswijk sent out a message to “all Kosovo officials who were or are still connected to organized crime” that they should “start sweating”.

But he added that the “premier and ministers may relax”, because EULEX will not interfere in the work of their offices unless there is something unlawful in their work.

“But, if the law is violated, they should not think that we would knock on the door and ask if we might investigate,” said Van Vreeswijk.

“If the case fails, I agree that we should produce and explanation,” said Van Vreeswijk. “But, do you really think that a professional organization with its qualified prosecutors wants to start proceedings against a high-ranking individual without having a strong case?”

Van Vreeswijk clarified that senior officials under the investigations are not members of Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo only.

There are members of other parties as well, said Van Vreeswijk.