UNMIK/PR/573
PRISTINA – The UNMIK Business Registration Unit issued licenses to seven companies today to operate as security service providers in Kosovo.
The companies who are authorised to operate armed security service in accordance with the provisions of UNMIK Regulation 2000/33 on Licensing of Security Service Providers and the Regulation of their Employees and who have been issued the appropriate weapons permit by the UNMIK Commissioner of Police are:
- Grays Security
- International Support Services
Those companies which are authorised to operate unarmed security services, in accordance with the provisions of UNMIK Regulation 2000/33 on Licensing of Security Service Providers and the Regulation of their Employee’s are:
- Balkan International
- WDG
- Trans Balkan Trade
- International Procurement and Logistics
- Black Panther
The successful companies have been informed by letter of UNMIK’s decision and of the measures they must now undertake to comply with the UNMIK Police guidelines and policy for their operation and the regulation of their employees.
The companies whose applications were unsuccessful or any other firm providing unlicensed security services in Kosovo, will be required to cease operations within 14 days - that is by May 11. Any business concerns that have signed a contract with an unlicensed company are advised to change their contracts to one of the seven companies listed above.
All companies who are unlicensed to operate as a security service providers and who refuse to cease operations will be liable to sanctions given in Regulation 2000/33 and to criminal prosecution.
Security companies exist to provide a service to the community by ensuring low-level security and deterring common criminals from breaking the law. To ensure proper regulation the managers of the company must be adequately experienced, have a culture of service to the customer and of responsibility to the community in which they operate. It is these factors, among others, which have guided UNMIK, UNMIK Police and KFOR in making its decisions.
Businesses should not need nor be required to pay for security companies to guard them. The payment of protection money is extortion and the collection of protection money is a crime. UNMIK urges the business sector of Kosovo to fully support this initiative and to end the payment of security related costs to any unlicensed company providing or offering to provide security.
The only companies that can present themselves as legitimate security service providers in Kosovo are those listed above. Any other company that presents itself as a security service provider does so illegally.
We urge all business owners who may come under any form of pressure to employ an unlicensed company, to pass all information confidentially to UNMIK Police and the Kosovo Police Service.