EU police raid four Kosovo companies in corruption probe

(PRISTINA) - EU and Kosovo police on Thursday raided four companies suspected of corruption over a mobile phone licence, the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) said.

The searches were carried out in Pristina and western town of Pec and "relate to financial and corruption matters in connection to a telecommunications licence," the press release said.

They also searched the homes of some of the representatives of the targetted companies.

The EU-led investigation focuses on the transfer of a virtual mobile phone licence from Post and Telecom of Kosovo, which is the biggest public company in Kosovo, to a consortium of three private enterprises.

The deal "is suspected to have taken place under fraudulent circumstances", EULEX said.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Despite its recognition by 69 countries, the US and majority of the EU among them, Belgrade still considers Kosovo as its southern province.

The 3,000-member EULEX mission was launched in December 2008 to enforce the rule of law in Kosovo.

They have the the power to step in and take on cases that the local judiciary and police are unable to handle because of their sensitive nature.

Earlier this week EULEX police arrested a government official suspected of tax evasion.