Appeal changes ruling and acquits Agim Çeku and nine other defendants in veterans case

The Court of Appeals has overturned the ruling of the Basic Court in Pristina in the veterans case, clearing Agim Çeku and nine other defendants of criminal responsibility. At the first instance, they had been found guilty and sentenced to one year in prison each.

The criminal case involved Agim Çeku, Nuredin Lushtaku, Sadik Halitjaha, Shkumbin Demaliaj, Qelë Gashi, Shukri Buja, Ahmet Daku, Rrustem Berisha, Faik Fazliu, Smajl Elezaj, Fadil Shurdhaj and Xhavit Jashari. They were all charged with abuse of official position or authority in co-perpetration.

After reviewing the defense appeals, the criminal panel of the Special Department of the Court of Appeals, chaired by Mentor Bajraktari and comprising members Valon Kurtaj and Vaton Durguti, decided to amend the ruling issued on September 12, 2025, by the Serious Crimes Department of the Basic Court in Pristina.

The Court of Appeals’ decision acquits Agim Çeku, Sadik Halitjaha, Shkumbin Demaliaj, Qelë Gashi, Shukri Buja, Ahmet Daku, Rrustem Berisha, Faik Fazliu, Fadil Shurdhaj and Xhavit Jashari.

According to the court, it was not proven that the defendants had committed the criminal offense with which they had been charged.

The ten defendants had been found guilty by the court of first instance, which had sentenced each of them to one year in prison.

In addition to the prison sentence, the Basic Court had ordered them to pay 200 euros each for the costs of the criminal proceedings, as well as 50 euros each to the Fund for the Compensation of Crime Victims.