Appeal for evidence that could prove the innocence of Osman Selmani, arrested by Serbia

Serbian authorities arrested Kosovo citizen Osman Selmani on 1 July at the Mutivodë border crossing, as he was returning from his hometown.

According to his family, Selmani is now being held at the War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade. His relatives consider the charges he faces to be untrue and unfounded.

Entrepreneur Nebi Hoxha has also reacted to the case, publishing an appeal on his Facebook profile.

Hoxha says that during the period for which Serbia accuses Selmani of war crimes, he was sheltered at the Refugee Camp in Çegran, Gostivar.

“Osman Selmani, a citizen from Prishtina, is being held in pre-trial detention in Serbia on war crimes charges, in proceedings that his family and supporters consider unfounded. According to all the information available to us, during the period from April to June 1999, when the events for which he is accused are alleged to have taken place, Osman Selmani was a refugee at the Refugee Camp in Çegran, Gostivar,” Hoxha wrote.

He called on activists and organisations that operated during that period to help establish the facts, so that Selmani can be cleared of what they describe as unfounded charges.

“Therefore, we are seeking the help of everyone who worked for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Crven Krst na RM, or other humanitarian organisations at the Refugee Camp in Çegran during 1999. If you possess lists, documents, photographs, or have knowledge proving that Osman Selmani was a refugee at the camp during the period from April to June 1999, please contact us. Any information could be crucial in proving the truth and helping defend him against unjust accusations. Please share this appeal. Thank you! #IFRC, #NATO, #OSCE, #IOM, #UNICEF, #Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), #Caritas, #Mercy Corps, #CARE, #OXFAM,” his appeal said.

Selmani’s trial is expected to be held in Belgrade. Meanwhile, his family has announced that it will pursue all legal avenues to prove his innocence.