Kosovo police have arrested 39 people suspected of large-scale financial abuse involving the Kosovo Insurance Bureau (BKS), in a sweeping operation that authorities say caused damages exceeding €1 million.
The arrests followed coordinated raids carried out Thursday across multiple cities as part of an investigation led by the Prizren Basic Prosecution. During the operation, police seized approximately €23,700 in cash, along with watches, weapons, and electronic devices, while freezing €1.3 million in suspected illicit funds.
Among those arrested were Sami Mazreku, the former Executive Director of BKS, and Valon Berisha, the bureau’s former Director of Finance.
At a press conference, Prizren Chief Prosecutor Petrit Kryeziu said the investigation began in March 2025 and uncovered 166 suspicious transactions ranging from €6,800 to €68,000 each.
Kryeziu stated that the suspects are believed to have abused their official authorizations within BKS to conduct unlawful financial transactions and produce falsified documentation for personal benefit.
Prosecutors allege that between July 2022 and October 9, 2023, Mazreku and Berisha illegally profited from BKS funds by manipulating traffic accident compensation claims. Investigators say the pair prepared false financial records and misleading balance sheets to deceive BKS governing bodies.
According to the prosecution, individuals involved in traffic accidents were identified and paid compensation under false pretenses. These individuals allegedly kept a small portion of the funds, while the majority was funneled back to Mazreku and Berisha.
In addition to the 39 arrests made during Thursday’s raids, seven more individuals currently outside Kosovo are under investigation for allegedly allowing their bank accounts to be used to facilitate the illegal transfers.
The operation involved more than 300 police officers from economic and financial crime units and remains ongoing in Prizren, Prishtinë/Pristina, and ten other municipalities.
In a statement, the Kosovo Insurance Bureau said the investigation was launched following findings from an internal audit and emphasized that BKS itself reported the suspected abuses to authorities.
“After identifying serious violations and indications of misuse, BKS immediately referred the case to the competent institutions,” the bureau said, adding that it is fully cooperating with prosecutors and police.
