33 indictments for 89 people suspected of war crimes

After 24 years since the biggest massacre during the war in Kosovo, that of Meja e Gjakova in which Serbian forces killed 370 Albanian civilians, the authorities indicated that 53 people have been charged with this crime.

Representatives of the Special Prosecutor's Office announced that since 2018, 33 indictments have been filed against 89 people, most of whom are suspected of involvement in the Meja massacre.

Prosecutor Drita Hajdari showed details of the indictment.

"The indictment is structured in three parts - the first part includes 5 accused who planned the massacre of Meja and other villages, the second part includes the group of 11 defendants who, in collaboration with the first group, implemented the plan for the massacre of Meja, while the third group of 37 defendants consists of the direct executors who carried out the massacre".

For another great massacre, that of Dubrava, the initial judicial review has already been held.

Prosecutor Ilir Morina said that in addition to this accused, 88 other people are suspected.

"There are 88 defendants under investigation. This investigation has started a long time since it was the subject of EULEX. We have a defendant in custody. It is a challenge to conduct a war investigation for two years, but these are the legal possibilities. By law, detention is 2 months. For the other defendants, the investigations continue, that is, the Dubrava Massacre does not end with this indictment".

also Arberi 8 dhj 2023 The Special Prosecutor's Office has filed 33 indictments against 89 people for war crimes in Kosovo

Special prosecutors indicated that part of the evidence for these cases of war crimes was transferred to them by EULEX, and other relevant ones were also received from the International Court in The Hague.

Chief Special Prosecutor, Blerim Isufaj, said that the prosecution body has faced many problems related to the handling of cases.

During the war two decades ago, about 13.500 people were killed and about a million were driven from their homes. The vast majority of victims are Albanians. According to the Humanitarian Law Fund, for these and other crimes, a total of 72 people have been convicted so far. Of them, 38 are Albanians, and 34 are members of the Serbian forces.