Corruption cases with social impact in the Western Balkans and Turkey

Weak enforcement fuels corruption

Weak enforcement of corruption cases allows corruption to thrive. It undermines democracy, development and equality while enabling state capture - where private interests gain control over governments, institutions and sectors. An independent and effective judiciary is essential in tackling corruption, yet judicial systems in the Western Balkans and Turkey often fail to investigate, prosecute and sanction corruption cases effectively.

Most corruption cases stall during investigation and prosecution, failing to result in convictions or systemic change. Even when cases are concluded, sentences are often lenient, or acquittals are granted, raising concerns about judicial integrity. These failures weaken public trust, discourage whistleblowers and allow corruption to persist with impunity.

Why this database?

To highlight these shortcomings and push for change, we have created this corruption case database under the project Citizen engagement for public integrity (CEPI). Unlike previous efforts that focused on high-level corruption, this database covers a wider range of cases that reveal inefficiencies in the judiciary and prosecution or have significant social impact. Many cases involve publicly exposed persons, while others illustrate how legal loopholes and weak enforcement contribute to a culture of impunity.

This database is not exhaustive and does not claim to list all corruption cases in the region. Instead, it takes a qualitative approach, offering insights into systemic weaknesses in law enforcement and judicial processes.

Disclaimer

The cases included in this database are at various stages of the legal process -some are ongoing, others have led to convictions, while some have resulted in acquittals. Inclusion in this database does not prejudge the outcome of any ongoing legal proceedings, nor does it assign guilt or responsibility to any individuals or entities. This database does not imply that those mentioned are guilty of a criminal offence or legally responsible for corruption before a final and binding court decision has been made.

The purpose of this database is to document and highlight systemic issues in the judicial process and to provide insight into corruption-related cases with significant social harm. Cases are selected based on publicly available sources, including media reports, civil society findings and legal documents, ensuring that key corruption-related developments remain accessible to the public. We encourage all visitors to use this information responsibly and to advocate for transparent, accountable and independent judicial systems capable of effectively prosecuting corruption.