A verdict is expected in the case of Millorad Gjokoviq today

The verdict in the war crimes trial of Millorad Gjokoviq is expected to be announced today at 1:30 p.m. at the Palace of Justice in Prishtina.

According to the indictment filed on June 23, 2023, Gjokoviq is suspected of taking part in killings, raids, beatings, abuse, arrests, torture and cruel and inhuman treatment during 1998–1999, as a member of Serbian police and military forces. The events described in the indictment took place in the village of Ozdrim, in the Municipality of Peja, and in surrounding villages in the Peja region, where dozens of Albanian civilians were held in conditions of slavery, expelled and deported. He is also accused of looting, burning and destroying the homes of Albanian civilians.

The indictment states that regular military forces entered Ozdrim from the north, via the Peja–Mitrovica regional road. From the west, at the boundary with the village of Vitomiricë, paramilitary groups entered, including members of special military units. According to the document, they fired on civilians and killed six Albanians: I.K, Sh.K, E.M, R.Sh, Z.Sh and M.H. Three civilians wounded in the shooting, A.G, H.G and M.G, were first taken to Peja Hospital, but were later executed and buried in the village of Lutogllavë. Five other Albanian civilians were killed during the offensive: R.K, Z.K, A.K, A.K and A.Sh. Their bodies were never found, and they remain listed as missing.

Gjokoviq is accused of committing the criminal offense of “War crimes against the civilian population” in co-perpetration. The offense is stipulated under Article 142, in conjunction with Article 22 of the Criminal Code of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY Criminal Code), which was in force at the time the alleged crimes were committed.