Kosovo police arrested 39 individuals suspected of alleged large-scale financial abuse at the Kosovo Insurance Bureau, BKS, with estimated damages exceeding 1 million euros. The arrests were done after raids across several cities on Thursday, in an investigation led by the Prizren Basic Prosecution, where 23,700 euros in cash, watches, weapons, and electronic equipment were seized, while 1.3 million euros were frozen.

Among the arrested is Sami Mazreku, former Executive Director of BKS and Valon Berisha, former Director of Finance at BKS.

At a press conference the Chief Prosecutor of Prizren, Petrit Kryeziu, explained that during the course of investigations which started in March 2025, prosecutors found 166 suspicious transactions ranging in amount from 6,800 to 68,000 euros.

According to Kryeziu, the arrested are suspected of “abusing the authorisations given by BKS, enabling themselves and others to conduct various transactions and prepare falsified documents.” 

Prosecutors allege that Berisha and Mazreku unlawfully benefited from bureau funds between July 2022 and October 9, 2023. 

The two are suspected of abusing their official positions by manipulating traffic accident compensation claims to divert money for personal gain. According to the prosecution, the suspects prepared falsified financial documents and misleading balance reports to deceive BKS governing bodies. 

They identified citizens involved in traffic accident cases and transferred money to them under the pretext of compensation for damages. Agreements were made with these citizens whereby a small portion of the funds would remain with them, while the larger part of the transferred amount would go to Mazreku and Berisha.

Alongside the 39 arrested during Thursday’s raids, seven more individuals, currently abroad, are under investigation for allegedly allowing their bank accounts to be used to facilitate the transfers.

Around 400 police officers from economic and financial crime units were deployed in the operation, which is ongoing in Prizren, Prishtina, Gjilan, Mitrovica, Drenas, Peja, Obiliq, Gjakova, Rahovec, Podujeva, Dragash, and Ferizaj.

In a statement, the Kosovo Insurance Bureau said the case was “initiated following findings from an internal audit,” emphasising that BKS “itself reported the suspected abuses to authorities.”

“After identifying serious violations and indications of misuse, BKS took immediate legal steps by referring the case to the competent institutions,” the bureau said, adding that it is fully cooperating with prosecutors and police.