Court orders one month of pre-trial detention for nine suspects accused of war crimes in Kosovo

The Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina has ordered that the nine defendants suspected of “War crimes against the civilian population” remain in pre-trial detention for one month.

They are suspected of committing this criminal offense, provided for under Article 142 in conjunction with Article 22 of the former Criminal Law of the former SFRY: D.D., M.R., M.R., R.R., S.D., S.D., V.L., R.R. and D.D.

The decision was issued by the pre-trial judge following the conclusion of the hearing, which approved the request by the Special Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kosovo to impose pre-trial detention on each of the nine defendants.

According to the court’s assessment, this measure is appropriate because there is a real risk that, if released, the defendants could obstruct the criminal proceedings, evade prosecution or become unavailable to the justice authorities.

The court also based its assessment on the fact that the defendants are citizens and residents of the Republic of Serbia and possess passports issued by that country. For this reason, it was determined that there is a concrete risk that they could flee in order to evade criminal prosecution and justice.

It was also assessed that releasing them could create opportunities to influence evidence and testimony, jeopardizing their proper and complete administration and the full clarification of the facts.

Parties who disagree with this ruling may file an appeal with the Court of Appeals through the Basic Court in Pristina.