Kosovo Arrests Policeman For Abusing Minors

Two underage girls are thought to have been sexually abused by members of the Kosovo police when they went missing for a week in early June, with sources close to the family fearing that those involved are trying to cover up the case.

"The Kosovo Police Inspectorate has begun investigations and on June 19 arrested Sergeant Sh. S., who is currently in 30 days of detention," the daily Zeri reported.

A 14-year-old girl from Suhareka, whose name has not been published to protect her identity, was reported missing by her grandmother on June 9 after having disappeared for a week.

Police found her a week later on June 16  in a motel close to Suhareka in the company of an older male.

"She told the police that she had sexual intercourse with various people, one of whom was a Sergeant in the Kosovo Police," a source from the investigative department said.

Another girl, aged 15, was reportedly abused by the same sergeant. "I would wait outside while she was inside the room with Sh. S. and then she would wait outside while I was in there with him," she said in a statement.

The spokesperson of the Inspectorate, Arber Beka, said the Police Inspectorate had arrested a second police official on june 24, suspected of concealing the crime of his colleague. 

 The Basic Court in Prizren, which has jurisdiction over this case, said the investigation had been expedited since the girl reported missing by her grandmother lives in Italy - and had been in Kosovo for the summer holidays.

"One person is in detention and investigations are ongoing into the other suspects, thought to have hidden this case, and into suspects who tried to pressure the victims into changing their statements," the Chief Prosecutor of the Court, Syle Hoxha, said....