Ukshin Hoti’s disappearance: Special Prosecution has taken up the case – Momir Pantiq’s statements in court

The fate of Ukshin Hoti was discussed during the war crimes trial of Momir Pantiq and Zharko Zariq. Discussions at the hearing revealed that the Special Prosecution had taken up the case a few months earlier.

Hoti’s fate has remained unknown since May 1999. Until then, he had been held in Dubrava prison, from where he was transferred to an unknown location.

Momir Pantiq, the former chief of the police station in Istog, has suggested that he may have information about what happened to Hoti.

According to Pantiq, Hoti’s family members called him in 1999 and, at their request, he made inquiries to find out what had happened. He said he would elaborate on this in his closing statement, stressing that he had wanted to establish Ukshin Hoti’s fate in Dubrava and did not want any crime to be concealed.

Salihu – Shamolli asked whether the defendant could submit a written statement to the Special Prosecution if he had any knowledge of the possible whereabouts of the body.

Shala, meanwhile, said they had learned from the defendant over the summer that a colleague from the Special Prosecution had questioned him at the detention center about the case.

At the same hearing, Bekim Blakaj of the Humanitarian Law Center testified at Pantiq’s request. Pantiq had prepared a series of questions for him.

One concerned whether the two might have attended joint workshops on missing persons in 2002–2003.

Blakaj replied that he did not recall knowing Pantiq, communicating with him or encountering him at any meeting. He did not rule out the possibility that this had happened, but stressed that he did not remember it.

The questions also covered people who remain listed as missing to this day.

Blakaj mentioned the case of teacher Haxhi Kajtazi, who he said had disappeared from his home in the town of Istog and was still listed as missing.

Pantiq, for his part, stated that police officer Fadil Ramaj had informed them that members of the army had shot and wounded teacher Haxhi Kajtazi. He added that the teacher’s body had been buried in the town cemetery.

Blakaj clarified that Kajtazi remains on the list of missing persons because his body has not yet been identified or handed over to his family.

The charges against Pantiq and Zariq concern the killing of Albanians in the Istog area, including 18 inmates at Dubrava prison.