Post-conflict Criminal Investigation by International Specialist. Standard v. realities (Kosovo...

In June 1999, the UN was to swiftly develop a transitional civil administration for Kosovo , thus beginning a new phase in its work, which was actually governing territories where: “local judicial and legal capacity was found to be non-existent, out of practice or subject to intimidation by armed elements.” The “legal vacuum” created in Kosovo after the complete withdrawal of Serbian government services should have been filled immediately. UN established its first - ever full-fledged executive peacekeeping operation, UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Big part of it was police and judiciary. This article discusses problems and failures of those attempts to restore normal governments' functions.