EU judge dismisses charges against ex-Kosovo governor

(PRISTINA) - An EU judge dismissed all charges against the former governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo, who was suspected of abusing his authority for trading in influence and fraud, a statement said Thursday.

A Pristina district court judge ruled to dismiss "all five counts against Hashim Rexhepi, which included the criminal offences of abusing official position or authority, trading in influence and fraud," said a statement by the EU rule of law mission (EULEX).

Rexhepi was arrested in July 2010 after raids on his office and home in a corruption investigation.

The police said then that the arrest was part of a corruption and financial investigation into abuse of authority, corruption, tax evasion, trading in influence and money laundering.

As Kosovo's first Central bank governor, Rexhepi was appointed to a five-year term in March 2008, just a month after Pristina declared indepedence from Serbia and began establishing its own state institutions.

EULEX was launched in December 2008 only months after Kosovo unilaterally declared independence.

It is mandated to oversee and strengthen the rule of law area and can take over cases deemed too sensitive for the local judiciary.

Despite Serbia's fierce diplomatic opposition, the newly declared state has so far been recognised by 85 countries including the United States and the majority of the EU.