A European Union prosecutor in Kosovo has indicted 11 suspects including a deputy prime minister on corruption charges.
The indictment was a fresh blow to Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, who has been repeatedly criticised at home and abroad for not doing enough to fight corruption.
The prosecutor accused Deputy Prime Minister Bujar Bukoshi of abuse of office and corruption during six months in 2010 when he was health minister under Mr Thaci's previous government. Other suspects are current or former health ministry officials.
"The suspects are charged with abuse of official position or authority, mistreatment in exercising duties, tax evasion and obstruction of evidence," the EU mission in Kosovo said.
Mr Bukoshi said he had not been contacted by prosecutors and denied the allegations.
"I am absolutely clean and without any involvement in tenders or any other things related to corruption and I am ready to face justice," Mr Bukoshi said.
Earlier this week, the 25-member International Steering Group comprised of the US and EU powers agreed to stop overseeing Kosovo, which seceded from Serbia in 2008.
It will, however, still be monitored by Nato peacekeepers and a EU police and judiciary mission that mainly deals with war crimes, corruption and organised crime.
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