In 2011, the Kosovo Government banned the gravel extraction from domestic rivers. The November 2nd, 2013 decision stated that “the law will be valid for three years from the day that law is first implemented.”
The decision, signed by the Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, assigned the Commission for Mines and Minerals, the Kosovo Police, and other institutions to implement and enforce this law.
In 2013 the owner of company “Elezaj”, Bedri Elezaj from Klina, told Justice in Kosovo that some officials asked him to give them money in order to help him.
Part of Mr. Elezaj’s company was closed at the end of 2011 because of the government’s decision. Mr. Elezaj started to build a concrete mixer near his company, but in order to put the concrete mixer in function he needed the permission from the Commission for Mines and Minerals.
Mr. Elezaj was warned by the inspectors that he was not allowed to put the concrete mixer in function if he exploits grit illegally. He said that the inspectors never found him exploiting grit, but the inspectors flattered him and told him to sign a document which he did not understand.
In addition, Mr. Elezaj realized too late what he signed and called the head inspector Nuredin Bislimi who told Mr. Elezaj that the fee can be from 5 thousand to 50 thousand euros and that he should be careful.
Meanwhile Elezaj decided to notify the police about this case because he was tired of being pressured.
Two days after the meeting, the head inspector Bislimi and the inspector Lulzim Çitaku visit the “Elezaj” company. Mr. Elezaj, in cooperation with Kosovo Police, gave Nuredin Bislimii 1,000 euros. The police immediately arrested the head inspector Bislimi and the inspector Citaku for the penal act of bribe taking.
In addition, evidence from Mr. Elezaj are being used as the main proof against two inspectors. The case prosecutor of this case, Shpresa Gashi, told Justice in Kosovo that she made an agreement with Nuredin Bislimi. Mr. Bislimi pleaded guilty therefore he will receive a lower punishment of 6 months – 1 year in prison.
The lawyer of Nuredin Bislimi, Bajram Tmava, said that her client admitted guilt for bribe taking and during the whole process he was defended in silence.
The other inspector, Lulzim Citaku, pleaded not guilty on the grounds that he did not know that his supervisor was asking for bribe. This was confirmed by Citaku’s lawyer, Mahmut Halimi; whereas the prosecutor Gashi who dealt with this case said that according to the evidence, Citaku knew about the bribe. She said that the prosecution is also investigating other inspectors who took bribes.
As usual, Justice in Kosovo also broadcast the clips recorded in cooperation with the Kosovo Police. “Security in Traffic” was the action of the police in this clip. A Kosovo Police officer talked about the number of accidents: 32 accidents occurred during 2013 and 37 people died in these accidents.
The number of accidents is higher during winter; therefore the Kosovo Police conducted an operation to ensure that all citizens have winter equipment for their vehicle. During the clip, the Kosovo Police stopped a few vehicles that were speeding and some that did not have winter equipment for their vehicle.