Pristina, Kosovo:
An EU official says its mission in Kosovo has launched a preliminary investigation into allegations that Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci once led a ring trafficking in human organs.
The EU mission cited a Council of Europe reported in December that suggested Thaci was once the "boss" of a criminal underworld behind the alleged grisly organ trade during the 1998-99 war against Serbia. Thaci has denied that.
The mission said it took those allegations "very seriously" and was "ready, willing and able to assume responsibility" for a judicial process. On Friday, it appealed for any evidence that could help its probe.
The December report alleges that civilian detainees of the now-disbanded Kosovo Liberation Army rebels were shot to death to sell their kidneys on the black market at that time.