OSCE: Lengthy court proceedings and high acquittal rates in organized crime and corruption cases in Kosovo

Judicial institutions in Kosovo have taken important steps toward improving the handling of serious organized crime and corruption cases, but the reforms have yet to result in consistent judicial practice, according to the OSCE's second regional report on the monitoring of court proceedings, published today. The monitored high-profile organized crime and corruption cases, the report states, continue to show high acquittal rates and lengthy proceedings.

The report, part of a broader OSCE regional court monitoring program funded by the European Union, examines developments across six Western Balkan jurisdictions since 2024, when the previous recommendations were published. It assesses progress in implementing those recommendations and identifies practical priorities for a fairer, more efficient and more effective criminal justice system.

Based on court monitoring, an analysis of judicial decisions and consultations with judicial institutions, the report notes a stronger institutional commitment to reforms, including strategic planning, expanded use of digital tools, specialized training and measures to improve consistency in judicial practice.

Improved publication of court decisions is cited as one example of progress. During the reporting period, 36 of the 41 monitored judgments were published online, including all 20 monitored judgments issued by the Court of Appeals. Institutions have also taken steps to improve translation and interpretation services, as well as communication with the public.

Nevertheless, the implementation of reforms remains uneven. The report points to lengthy court proceedings, particularly at the appeals stage; inconsistencies in the drafting of indictments and the reasoning behind judicial decisions; difficulties accessing oral interpretation and translated case files; and challenges in applying financial investigations, asset confiscation and supplementary penalties.

“Monitored high-profile organized crime and corruption cases continue to show high acquittal rates, lengthy proceedings and varied sentencing outcomes. The policy question is what these outcomes reveal about the evidence, case-building, appeals, sanctions and the sustainability of judicial results,” the report states.

It also notes that transparency mechanisms have been expanded, but predictable access to hearing schedules, judgments, indictments and bilingual information remains uneven.

According to Kahramon Sanginov, head of the project's Kosovo component, the report recognizes the progress made by judicial institutions and their continued efforts to follow the recommendations.

“The next step is to build on this progress so that reforms consistently improve how complex cases are prepared, managed and adjudicated,” Sanginov said.

The report's recommendations concern clearer allocation of institutional responsibilities, stronger oversight and continued investment in specialized expertise and operational resources. The emphasis is on ensuring that strategies, guidelines and digital tools lead to measurable improvements in the day-to-day handling of cases, while safeguarding the right to a fair trial and judicial independence.

The findings and recommendations will be discussed at the Regional Judicial Forum, which will be held in Budva on October 26 and 27. The forum will bring together senior representatives of courts and prosecution authorities from all jurisdictions covered by the project to exchange practical experiences on how to turn judicial reforms into sustainable institutional practice.