Nine war crime suspects in Zubin-Potok remanded in custody for one month

Nine people arrested on suspicion of war crimes against the civilian population in Zubin-Potok will remain in detention for one month, following a decision by the Basic Court in Pristina.

The measure was imposed on September 29, 2026, one day after the Special Prosecution Office of the Republic of Kosovo had requested the suspects’ detention.

According to the court’s reasoning, the measure is necessary to prevent the risk of obstructing the criminal proceedings, evading prosecution or being unable to ensure their presence before the justice authorities.

The court took into account that the arrested individuals are citizens and residents of Serbia and also possess Serbian passports. According to the court’s assessment, these circumstances represent a concrete flight risk.

Dragan Gjuriq, Millosh Raskoviq, Miroslav Radojeviq, Radisav Raskoviq, Sasha Gjukiq, Svetislav Gjukiq, Vukoje Lepoviq, Rangel Raskoviq, known by the nickname “Lane”, and Dalibor Gjuriq were arrested on September 27 as part of an operation by the Kosovo Police and the Special Prosecution Office in the municipality of Zubin-Potok.

The investigation concerns the killing and disappearance of 23 Albanian civilians, known as the “Group of Intellectuals” of Mitrovica.

The prosecution alleges that on April 19, 1999, the victims were stopped, robbed and mistreated before being executed. According to the same allegations, attempts were then made to burn and conceal the bodies.

During searches at several locations, the authorities seized weapons, ammunition, telephones, documents and around 23,000 euros in cash.

The investigation also includes excavations carried out in Kalludër and Jabukë in Zubin-Potok, where human remains were discovered. The identification process is still ongoing. The authorities have announced that the two remains identified so far do not belong to the “Group of Intellectuals”, meaning it cannot be conclusively stated that all the findings are linked to the 23 missing people.

The detention ruling does not mean that the suspects have been found guilty. The responsibility of each of them must be established during the trial, while all nine are presumed innocent until a final judgment is issued.