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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeThe United Nations team in Kosovo welcomes the convictions in the case of the murder of Liridona Ademaj
Photo: Driton Pacharada
The United Nations team in Kosovo welcomed Tuesday's verdict in the murder case of Liridona Ademaj.
Naim Murseli and Granit Plava were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Basic Court of Pristina, while Kushtrim Kokalla was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
"Today's decision by the Basic Court in Pristina brings justice to the case of Liridona Ademaj and accountability for a crime that deeply shocked Kosovo. It sends a clear message that femicide and violence against women will face a determined response under the law. We stand with her children, her family and all those affected, and reiterate the need for stronger and sustained action to prevent violence against women and girls and to ensure protection and accountability," said Stephen O'Malley, United Nations Development Coordinator.
The United Nations team has reiterated its commitment to supporting Kosovo institutions in advancing prevention, protection and access to justice, as well as strengthening coordinated efforts to end all forms of violence against women and girls in Kosovo.
Ademaj family lawyer warns of appeal of Kokala's sentence
"Today justice spoke" - Leutrim Syla, lawyer
Leutrim Syla, lawyer for the family of murdered Liridona Ademaj, has announced the appeal of the 30-year prison sentence against Kushtrim Kokalla.
At the press conference after the Court sentenced Naim Murseli and Granit Plava to life imprisonment, lawyer Syla said that the decision was made in accordance with the evidence.
"Today justice spoke," he said.
He stated that in addition to the two life sentences, Kokala's 30-year sentence is "quasi-life imprisonment."
"Although it is not provided for as such by the code since it was only 30 years in duration, but since we have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal, in accordance with the severity of the sentence, I consider that we will file an appeal," he said.
Syla praised the media and public support for the family. He said that the police investigators should be commended for their great work in this case, who "immediately confirmed that this was not a robbery, but a serious murder."
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Liridona Ademaj's brother: This decision is also for the children who will no longer see their mother
Leonard Ademaj
Liridona Ademaj's brother, Leonard Ademaj, after the life imprisonment sentence for Naim Murseli and Granit Plava and 30 years in prison for Kushtrim Kokalla, said that the decision has eased their pain a little.
He stated that what the family has said from the beginning was confirmed today, that Murseli, together with Kokalla, chose Plava as the killer and together they all organized the murder.
According to him, this decision is not just for his sister. the deceased, but also for the children and the entire people.
"What was proven today is what we have said from the beginning, that Naimi, together with Kushtrim, by choosing Granit as the killer, organized this crime. This decision is not only for us, but also for Liridona and her children who will never see their mother again." their. This decision is also for those who think of committing such a crime. As for Kushtrim Kokallë, I believe that the court has seen it right. No matter how little this decision "It has made things easier for us, but it is a decision that we have all been waiting for, not just the family," he said.
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Liridona Ademaj's Murder: Murseli and Plava Sentenced to Life Imprisonment, 30 Years for Kokalë
The Basic Court in Pristina has sentenced Liridona Ademaj, Naim Murseli and Granit Plava to life imprisonment for the murders of Liridona Ademaj, Naim Murseli and Granit Plava. Kushtrim Kokalla was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The decision was made in a session held on Tuesday.
Murseli, Ademaj's husband, Plava and Kokalla, who were not present in the courtroom when the verdict was announced, were accused of the murder of Liridona Ademaj in November 2023.
According to the indictment, the three had previously agreed that the murder would be carried out by the accused Plava, with an agreement that Murseli would pay him 30 thousand euros. The entire plan for the murder of Liridona, the indictment states, was made by her husband, Naim Murseli, as a result of the breakdown of family and marital relations, which gave rise to his desire for revenge.
The indictment states that initially the plan was revealed to Kokalla by Murseli, but he refused to find an opportunity to kill Liridona, and then Kokalla found Plava, with whom he had introduced Naim. Naim Murseli himself is said to have obtained the gun with 20 cartridges from the accused Tom Dodaj, from whom he bought it for 280 euros. With this gun, the murder of the now deceased was committed.
Tom Dodaj, who sold the gun to Mursel from Plav for 280 euros, pleaded guilty. The Basic Court sentenced him to 5 years in prison, which was later reduced to three years by the Appeals Court.
At the initial hearing on January 31, 2025, Murseli pleaded not guilty. Plava did not enter a plea, while Kokalla requested time to consult with the defense.
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The verdict in the murder of Liridona Ademaj will be announced today
Photo: Driton Pacharada
Today, the Basic Court in Pristina is expected to announce the verdict in the murder case of Liridona Ademaj, where the accused are her husband Naim Murseli, Granit Plava and Kushtrim Kokalla.
The decision is expected to be announced at 13:30, while Murseli, Plava and Kokalla will not participate in the announcement.
The Basic Prosecution Office in Pristina, in its closing statement, has requested life imprisonment for the three accused in the murder that occurred in November 2023.
The prosecutor in the case, Javorka Perlinčević, said that during the trial it was argued that the defendants had agreed to kill Ademaj.
The Ademaj family has also requested life imprisonment for the accused. Liridona's brother Leonardi said that during the court hearing, it was proven that the murder was planned.
Meanwhile, the defense attorney of the accused Naim Murseli, attorney Shemsedin Piraj, has stated that the Prosecution's request for a life sentence is harsh.
Defendant Naim Murseli supported his lawyer's closing argument. He said he is being accused of a crime he did not commit and was unaware of.
According to the indictment, Murseli, Plava and Kokalla agreed in advance that the murder of Liridona Ademaj would be carried out by the accused Plava, with the agreement that Murseli would pay him 30 thousand euros.
The entire plan for the murder, according to the indictment, was made by the victim's husband, now the accused Naim Murseli, as a result of the breakdown of family and marital relations, which is why his desire for revenge arose.
The indictment also states that the plan to murder Liridona Ademaj was initially revealed to Kokalla, who then found Plava and introduced him to Murseli.
Naim Murseli himself, according to the indictment, obtained the gun with 20 bullets from the accused Tom Dodaj, with which he committed the murder.
Dodaj, who sold the gun to Mursel from Plav for 280 euros, pleaded guilty. The Basic Court sentenced him to 5 years in prison, which was later reduced to three years by the Appeals Court.
At the initial hearing on January 31, 2025, Murseli pleaded not guilty. Plava did not enter a plea, while Kokalla requested time to consult with the defense.