Kosovo Court Shields Corrupt Politicians, Blocks Anti-Corruption Law

Kosovo's Constitutional Court ruling shields corrupt politicians, halting the anti-corruption bureau law, and betrays public trust by enabling continued looting of the country's resources.

In a stunning blow to the principles of justice and accountability, Kosovo’s Constitutional Court has ruled against the law establishing the State Bureau for the Verification and Confiscation of Unjustifiable Assets. This law, a cornerstone of the Vetëvendosje Movement's anti-corruption platform, was intended to regulate the procedures for verifying and confiscating assets acquired through illicit means. Its nullification marks a significant setback for the country's fight against systemic corruption.

The court's decision, announced with five votes in favour and four against, invalidates the law in its entirety. The ruling party at the time, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), had contested the law, particularly opposing the provisions concerning the bureau’s status. The PDK, a party with a long history of leading the country and a notorious reputation for enabling and engaging in corruption, sent the law for constitutional review, ostensibly to stall judicial reforms. This thinly ve…