The Special Prosecution of Kosovo announced on Thursday that it has authorized the Kosovo Police to conduct investigative actions at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development over suspicions that public officials of this ministry have committed criminal offenses.

In a press release, the Prosecution stated that the suspicions are related to the renovation of a building previously used by the political party Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), which is now under the management of the Ministry.

According to the Prosecution, public officials are suspected of “abuse of official duty,” “abuse of official position,” “misuse and fraud in public procurement,” and “document forgery.”

The Kosovar media outlet Koha recently reported on a €66,000 payment made to a consortium for the removal of furniture from the building now managed by the Ministry.

According to these reports, the Ministry paid €2,000 for the removal of furniture from each of the 33 rooms in the building, including restrooms that contained inventory.

For these services and renovations covering around 600 square meters, the Ministry of Agriculture is believed to have spent approximately €370,000, according to Koha’s reports.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has not independently verified these reports.

In a response to RFE/RL, the Ministry of Agriculture said it welcomes the authorities’ swift response and proactive approach, although these actions come after what it called a “speculative media report.”

“Law enforcement and justice institutions should carry out their duties. There have been proofs and evidence of abuses regarding this building for years, yet such swift reactions have never been taken before,” the Ministry stated.