It says: Bedri Elez
The latest case, where Kosovo Police Inspectorate recommends the suspension of Kosovo Police Procurement Director, under suspicion of misuse of official position or authority and conflict of interest in public procurement processes, is another serious signal for the functioning and integrity of our security institutions.
What makes this case even more disturbing is the fact that doubts are linked to dozens of procurement contracts, including negotiated and confidential procedures. It is here that serious institutional questions should be raised: who has initiated these procedures, who has approved, who has benefited, and what control mechanisms have failed to prevent or identify possible irregularities in time?
We need to understand that Kosovo police are not an ordinary administrative institution. It is one of the main pillars of public security and constitutional order. For this reason, any suspicion of abuse of office, conflict or violation of integrity within it should be addressed not only as individual criminal issues but also as issues of security and institutional credibility.
The greatest danger is not only eventual financial damage, but damage to public trust in the state. When citizens constantly face suspected cases of abuse of office in important institutions, the conviction arises that institutions do not always function in public interest, but may be exposed to private interests, specific groups or external influences.
This erosion of public trust can produce far broader consequences than administrative or financial ones. It could weaken the authority of the state, the willingness of citizens to co-operate with institutions and trust in law enforcement mechanisms. In such an environment, spaces can be created that can be exploited by organised crime, groups with illegal interests and foreign actors aimed at influence or destabilise the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.
Hence, neither should the dimension of national security be underestimated. A police institution with violated integrity, poor control mechanisms, or decision-making exposed to conflict of interest can also become more vulnerable to hybrid threats and interventions aimed at weakening the country’s credibility.
In this direction, IPK’s recommendation for suspension should be accompanied by a full, professional and independent investigation, which should not be limited to an official. The entire chain of decision making, supervisory responsibilities, procurement procedures, and any possible connection to interests that may have affected the process should be considered.
Also, an audit of the respective contracts should be made and assessed whether the negotiated and confidential procedures are used in accordance with the law and whether there is any eventual damage to the state budget.
The state cannot seek citizens’ trust only through statements, but it must prove it through accountability and institutional integrity.
If our security institutions fail to guarantee transparency, professionalism and responsibility within their own structures, then we are dealing with a problem that exceeds a single case and requires serious response at the institutional level.
Kosovo has invested a lot in building security institutions. Hence, it is unacceptable that faith built for years is threatened by possible misuse practices and lack of accountability.
No one should be above the law, but no one should be found guilty without a judicial decision. What needs to be uncommpromis is investigation, transparency and institutional responsibility.
Source Layer: Insander