EULEX under fire – suspends high ranking staff member and transfers others

The wheel of EULEX is turning. Now EULEX (EU Law Mission in Kosova) is facing misconduct and investigation. Fatmir Limja ex-Minister of Transport and Telecommunication and now member of the Kosova Parliament did announce that a European investigation team is investigating EULEX. The team recently has spoken to him and questioned him about the practices of conduct of EULEX during the investigation that they did on him.

Xavier Bout de Marnhac

EULEX is the EU’s biggest mission ever to have been launched in to Kosova when the country declared its independence. EULEX’s mission in 2008 was to oversee the Judiciary, Police and Customs services in the new country. EULEX has a staff of 3000 people and is led by the French General Xavier Bout de Marnhac.

One day after this was made public, EULEX released a press release stating that they have suspended a staff member and transferred others – without mentioning names.

"An international staff member working for the EULEX Rule of Law Mission has been suspended from his duties, and a number of other staff members temporarily transferred to other duties within the Mission, because of security concerns.

All the individuals worked as part of the Close Protection Team to the Head of Mission, with responsibility for his physical security. The suspension and transfers are taken as a protective measure because the team’s ability to carry out their duties has been compromised".

A separate internal investigation into allegations of abuse of authority and misconduct, which is nearing its completion, is unaffected and continues. The outcome of this investigation is expected before the end of this month.