Hague judgment: KLA opponents were handcuffed and chained “like animals

At least 385 people were arrested and held without legal grounds in 14 municipalities in Kosovo and at several locations in northern Albania, the Trial Panel found.

The summary of the judgment delivered by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague describes the conditions in which people considered opponents of the Kosovo Liberation Army were held.

According to the Trial Panel’s findings, from April 1998 to June 20, 1999, KLA members arbitrarily deprived at least 385 people of their liberty at detention sites under their control.

These arrests and detentions took place in 14 municipalities in Kosovo, as well as at several locations in two counties in northern Albania.

The judgment states that many of the individuals were taken from their homes, while others were detained on the street. Some were beaten and insulted during their arrest, while others were blindfolded, had their hands or feet bound, and had their personal belongings confiscated.

After being taken to detention sites, they were placed in enclosed premises or areas guarded by armed individuals. A large number of detainees were held in handcuffs, with their hands bound, or chained.

One witness who was held in Llapushnik said that he had seen at least seven people chained “like animals” inside a stable.

Meanwhile, another person detained in Cahan testified that his hands had been bound continuously for 20 days.

The Trial Panel concluded that detainees were not formally informed of the reasons for their arrest. They were also not brought before a judge and had no opportunity to challenge the legality of their detention.

Those detained included women, children, teachers, farmers, forestry workers, and laborers. The court found that, apart from a very limited number of cases, there was no evidence that these individuals had engaged in criminal activity, participated in fighting, or posed a legitimate threat to the KLA.

Based on these circumstances, the Trial Panel found that the commission of the war crime of unlawful or arbitrary arrest and detention against at least 385 people had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judgment was delivered at first instance and may be appealed.