Trial in absentia of Milan Radoiçiq and 19 others accused of killing 107 civilians in Gjakovë begins December 21

The Basic Court in Prishtina has scheduled the initial hearing for December 21, 2026, in the case against Milan Radoiçiq and 19 others accused of war crimes against the civilian population in the Municipality of Gjakovë, including the killing of 107 civilians.

Those accused in the case are Milovan Kovaçevic, Radomir Çoliq, Milosh Doshan, Predrag Ristiq, Sërgjan Kërstiq, Ljubisha Obradoviq, Zhivko Sariq, Spaso Sariq, Lazar Drashkoviq, Zvonko Ristiq, Darko Gligorijeviq, Çedomir Bozhoviq, Vladirmir Bozhoviq, Robert Dobruna, Radomir Rakoviq, Ljubisha Rakoviq, Milosh Shqepanoviq, Milan Radoiçiq, Svetislav Gligorijeviq and Tomica Avramoviq, Betimi për Drejtësi reports.

According to the court, the proceedings will be held in absentia at the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo because the defendants could not be located by the time the indictment was filed.

“At the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo, the trial in this case will be held in the defendants’ absence because they could not be located by the time the indictment was filed,” the court said.

The court has called on the 20 accused to come forward and surrender to the law enforcement authorities of the Republic of Kosovo.

The court has also asked anyone with information about the accused persons’ whereabouts to pass it on to the Kosovo Police or other competent institutions.

The hearing is scheduled for December 21, 2026, at 09:30. Leon Përlaska will preside over the judicial panel.

The Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo filed the indictment against the 20 defendants on August 6, 2026, and proposed that they be tried in absentia for war crimes against the civilian population in the Municipality of Gjakovë and the killing of 107 civilians. Milan Radoiçiq is among those accused.

Earlier, on March 27, 2025, the Basic Court in Prishtina issued arrest warrants for Milan Radoiçiq and the other 19 people for the criminal offense of “War crimes against the civilian population.”

The arrest warrant obtained by Betimi për Drejtësi called for the immediate apprehension of Milovan Kovaçevic, Radomir Çoliq, Milosh Doshan, Predrag Ristiq, Sërgjan Kërstiq, Ljubisha Obradoviq, Zhivko Sariq, Spaso Sariq, Lazar Drashkoviq, Zvonko Ristiq, Darko Gligorijeviq, Çedomir Bozhoviq, Vladirmir Bozhoviq, Robert Dobrunaj, Radomir Rakoviq, Ljubisha Rakoviq, Milosh Shqepanoviq, Milan Radoiçiq, Svetislav Gligorijeviq and Tomica Avramoviq.

According to the indictment, in 1998–1999, M.K., as head of the Secretariat of Internal Affairs (SUP) in Gjakovë; R. Ç., as commander of the Special Police units (PJP); and M.D., as commander of the 52nd Rocket Artillery Brigade, together with defendants P.R., S.K., L.O., Zh.S., S.S., L.D., Z.R., D.G., Ç.B., V.B., R.B., R.R., L.R., M.Sh., M.R., S.G. and T.A., as members of those units, are accused of participating in the killing of 107 civilians during a large-scale military and police operation.

The prosecution said the defendants first separated the women and children from the men during the operation.

According to the statement, the women were stripped of their gold jewelry, money and other valuables, while the men were executed in their homes and yards and at a place known as “Ura e Taliqit.” Houses were also burned during the operation.

Milan Radoiçiq is also accused in connection with the terrorist attack in Banjskë, in which he is suspected of having organized the group.