The trial of 53 people accused of the Meja Massacre is being held today in their absence, as all the defendants are at large. The Meja Massacre was one of the most serious massacres committed during the war in Kosovo.

The Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo filed the indictment in absentia in December 2023 and amended it on December 23, 2024. On May 25, 2026, the Court of Appeals remanded for reconsideration the decision of the Basic Court in Pristina that had confirmed the indictment filed by the Special Prosecution.

The indictment charges the defendants with allegedly committing, during 1998–1999, the criminal offenses for which they are accused in villages in the Municipality of Gjakova. According to the indictment, they acted jointly as part of a common criminal structure.

The defendants are suspected of having held various command and operational roles in the Serbian army, police and security services during the war in Kosovo. They include officials and members of these structures of Serbia at the time: Momir Stojanoviqi, Sreten Çamoviqi, Nikolla Miqunoviqi, Millovan Kovaçeviqi, Sergej Peroviqi, Verolub Zhivkoviqi, Millan Koturi, Radomir Çoliqi, Dragutin Josifoviqi, Franko Simatoviqi, Momçillo Stanojeviqi, Vllatko Vukoviqi and Ilija Todorovi.

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The first-instance judgment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi resulted in lengthy prison sentences, but it did not uphold all the allegations brought by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office.

The trial panel of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers found the four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army guilty on four counts of war crimes, while acquitting them of six counts related to crimes against humanity.

Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi were each sentenced to 25 years in prison, Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years. They were found guilty of arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder, classified as war crimes.

The six counts of crimes against humanity had a different outcome, with the trial panel entering no convictions on those charges.

The charges that were not proven

The indictment included persecution, imprisonment, other inhumane acts, torture, murder and enforced disappearance as forms of crimes against humanity.

To prove these charges, it was not enough for the prosecution merely to establish that murders, torture or unlawful detentions had occurred. It had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the acts formed part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against the civilian population.

According to the trial panel, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office failed to prove precisely this fundamental legal requirement.

When reading the summary of the judgment, presiding judge Charles L. Smith said that the prosecution had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of such an attack against the civilian population.

Consequently, the evidence presented did not meet the legal standard required for the established acts to be classified as crimes against humanity.

Acquittal on these charges does not mean that no crimes were committed

The decision to acquit the defendants of crimes against humanity does not mean that the court concluded that the murders, torture and detentions had not occurred.

The trial panel found that some of these acts had been proven as war crimes. However, the broader legal context required to classify them simultaneously as crimes against humanity was not established.

The distinction relates to the legal requirements that must be met for each category.

In the case of war crimes, a link between the act and the armed conflict must be proven.

For crimes against humanity, there must also be a widespread or systematic attack against the civilian population, and the act must be shown to have been connected to that attack.

This means that a murder or an act of torture may be classified as a war crime, but not necessarily as a crime against humanity if the prosecution fails to prove the existence of a widespread or systematic attack.

The KLA was not on trial

While delivering the judgment, Judge Smith clarified that the case concerned the individual responsibility of the accused. It did not examine the legality of the KLA’s war or the organization’s responsibility.

For this reason, the trial panel’s findings do not constitute a conviction of the KLA and are not a judgment against Kosovo’s war of liberation.

The court assessed only whether the four accused bore individual criminal responsibility for the specific acts listed in the indictment.

What did the prosecution prove?

Although the six counts of crimes against humanity were not upheld, the trial panel accepted a significant part of the prosecution’s case.

The summary of the judgment states that the court found the existence of a common criminal purpose to target individuals considered opponents of the KLA’s political or military objectives.

According to the court, there was also sufficient evidence of arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder committed in the context of the armed conflict. The respective sentences were imposed on this basis.

These findings are expected to be among the main issues challenged by the defense on appeal, particularly regarding each convicted person’s individual contribution and their connection to the specific crimes.

The prosecution also has the right to appeal

This is a first-instance judgment and, as such, is not yet final.

The defense has announced that it will appeal, but the prosecution has the same right. It may challenge the finding that a widespread or systematic attack directed against the civilian population was not proven.

International law expert Mark Ellis has said that the prosecution may argue that the trial panel incorrectly applied the legal test for establishing the existence of such an attack.

Meanwhile, the defense is expected to challenge the factual and legal findings through which those convicted were linked to the joint criminal enterprise.

At this stage, it can be said that the six counts of crimes against humanity were not proven at first instance. However, this aspect of the judgment may also be reviewed during the appeals proceedings.

Editor’s note: This article is based on the public summary of the judgment read during the hearing, as well as reports on the decision. The full judgment, in its public redacted version, is not yet available in the court’s indexed records.

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Gazment Bardhi, head of the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party, has continued for the third consecutive day to issue public statements regarding the case involving Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.

He criticized the Special Prosecution Office for failing to act on the request to lift her immunity and arrest her, declaring that the latest information had significantly worsened the official’s criminal position.

According to Bardhi, the investigation has brought to light two hidden villas that have now been seized by the justice authorities. In addition, three new charges have been brought against Balluku: corruption, money laundering and concealment of assets.

The opposition lawmaker claimed that, despite the new evidence, SPAK is not applying the standards it has established itself for changing a security measure when a person’s criminal position worsens.

“Belinda Balluku’s criminal position has worsened, but SPAK is not acting to strengthen the security measure and continues to give Edi Rama time for political manoeuvres. Why is SPAK not acting? What else needs to happen for the head of SPAK not to violate the standard he himself declared, that when a criminal position worsens, the security measure must also be strengthened?”, Bardhi declared.

The head of the DP parliamentary group added that the delay in decision-making is favouring certain political interests and undermining the enforcement of the law.

“Every day that passes without a request to lift Belinda Balluku’s immunity for her arrest is in favour of the ‘Valamar Alliance’ against the rule of law”, he concluded.

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The Court of Appeals has overturned the ruling of the Basic Court in Pristina in the veterans case, clearing Agim Çeku and nine other defendants of criminal responsibility. At the first instance, they had been found guilty and sentenced to one year in prison each.

The criminal case involved Agim Çeku, Nuredin Lushtaku, Sadik Halitjaha, Shkumbin Demaliaj, Qelë Gashi, Shukri Buja, Ahmet Daku, Rrustem Berisha, Faik Fazliu, Smajl Elezaj, Fadil Shurdhaj and Xhavit Jashari. They were all charged with abuse of official position or authority in co-perpetration.

After reviewing the defense appeals, the criminal panel of the Special Department of the Court of Appeals, chaired by Mentor Bajraktari and comprising members Valon Kurtaj and Vaton Durguti, decided to amend the ruling issued on September 12, 2025, by the Serious Crimes Department of the Basic Court in Pristina.

The Court of Appeals’ decision acquits Agim Çeku, Sadik Halitjaha, Shkumbin Demaliaj, Qelë Gashi, Shukri Buja, Ahmet Daku, Rrustem Berisha, Faik Fazliu, Fadil Shurdhaj and Xhavit Jashari.

According to the court, it was not proven that the defendants had committed the criminal offense with which they had been charged.

The ten defendants had been found guilty by the court of first instance, which had sentenced each of them to one year in prison.

In addition to the prison sentence, the Basic Court had ordered them to pay 200 euros each for the costs of the criminal proceedings, as well as 50 euros each to the Fund for the Compensation of Crime Victims.

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The Court of Appeals has overturned the first-instance verdict of the Basic Court in Prishtina, acquitting Ragip Begaj, former mayor of Malisheva, former minister Bajram Hasani, as well as Bashkim Krasniqi and Malë Krasniqi.

In the first instance, Begaj and Hasani were sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison each, while Bashkim Krasniqi and Malë Krasniqi were given sentences of two years each.

They were found guilty of committing, in complicity, the criminal offense of misuse of official position or authority.

The case related to the prosecution’s allegations regarding the construction plans for the Economic Zone of Malisheva.

According to the Appeals Court, the review of the challenged verdict, the claims presented in the appeal, and the administered evidence showed that the factual situation for Ragip Begaj, Bajram Hasani, Bashkim Krasniqi, and Malë Krasniqi had been incorrectly determined. The court assessed that it had not been proven that they committed the criminal offense for which they were found guilty.

The notification from the Kosovo Court of Appeals also states that, acting upon the appeal of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo and ex officio, the verdict was also amended in the part concerning the late Hajdin Berisha. The criminal proceedings against him were terminated due to his death, while the part of the appeal referring to Berisha became moot.

The Appeals Court, meanwhile, dismissed as unfounded the appeal of the Special Prosecution and upheld the acquittal part of the verdict for Faton Thaqi, Malë Krasniqi, Nazmi Kafexholli, and Ahmet Rrahmanaj.

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Xhelal Sveçla’s defense has waived the questioning of the defendant in the trial concerning the tear gas case, while his statements will be presented during the closing arguments.

Following the defense’s proposal, lawyer Luar Prenaj presented the closing arguments. He said that, after consulting with Sveçla, the defense would not exercise its right to have him make a statement and be questioned, explaining that the defendant’s position would be included in the closing arguments.

After the judicial review was concluded and the evidence was administered, prosecutor Avni Namani announced that the Prosecution had amended the operative part of the indictment against Sveçla.

The amended version of the indictment states that on March 21, 2018, between 12:10 p.m. and 3:40 p.m., in the plenary chamber of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, during an extraordinary plenary session, Xhelal Sveçla allegedly used a tear gas canister containing the chemical agent CS.

According to the Prosecution’s allegations, the canister was activated by Sveçla on several occasions and was then thrown inside the Assembly chamber, without warning and without giving those present an opportunity to leave.

The indictment links the spread of the irritant gas to the enclosed spaces of the chamber, where those present, fearing for their health and safety, were forced to leave. As a result, the session was interrupted.

Prosecutor Namani announced that Sveçla is charged with the criminal offense of “Use of a weapon or dangerous instrument,” provided for under Article 375, paragraph 2, of the 2012 Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, the Prosecution has dropped the criminal case concerning the offense of “Obstructing an official person in the performance of official duties,” because the statute of limitations for this offense has expired.

The amendments did not affect the remainder of the indictment, which has remained unchanged.

Following this amendment, the trial continued with the parties presenting their closing arguments.

In addition to Sveçla, those charged in the case include the acting Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Fitore Pacolli-Dalipi; former Vetëvendosje MP Salih Zyba; and former Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP Drita Millaku.

However, acting Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla was not present at the hearing on January 16, 2026. He informed the court by email that he was abroad, so the Court decided to sever the criminal proceedings against him.

At the hearing on April 10, 2026, Sveçla pleaded not guilty to the criminal offense with which he is charged.

The indictment against Sveçla, Millaku, Zyba and Pacolli-Dalipi was confirmed by the Basic Court in Pristina on June 6, 2024. All four were suspected of throwing tear gas in the Assembly during March 2018. The Basic Court’s decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeals.

At the initial hearing, held on March 26, 2024, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to throwing tear gas in the Assembly.

Sveçla, Millaku, Zyba and Pacolli-Dalipi had also been charged with the offense of “Obstructing an official person in the performance of official duties.” For this offense, the trial judge, Sabit Sadikaj, announced at the initial hearing that the absolute limitation period for criminal prosecution had expired.

According to the indictment obtained by “Betimi për Drejtësi,” filed on July 29, 2019, the defendants allegedly, on March 21, 2018, from approximately 12:10 p.m. until 3:40 p.m., activated several tear gas canisters and threw them inside the Kosovo Assembly chamber, where the plenary session was being held.

The indictment states that, as a result of this action, all MPs were forced to leave the Assembly chamber, making it impossible for the session to continue.

For this action, each of them is charged separately with the criminal offense of “Use of a weapon or dangerous instrument,” under Article 375, paragraph 1, of the Criminal Code. The offense carries a prison sentence of one to eight years.

The second operative section of the indictment states that the defendants, each separately, committed the offense of “Obstructing an official person in the performance of official duties,” under Article 409, paragraph 1, of the Criminal Code, by obstructing Kosovo Assembly MPs in the exercise of their official duties. This offense carries a prison sentence of three months to three years.

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Sami Lushtaku, the mayor of Skenderaj, reacted immediately after the ruling of the Basic Court in Pristina, which acquitted him in the proceedings known as the Drenica case. This judgment concerns the indictments once filed by the EULEX Prosecution.

In a public statement, Lushtaku stressed that the court confirmed his innocence also for the charges related to the alleged witness tampering in the “Drenica 1” case. He described this as the closing of a long and grueling cycle that began 13 years ago.

“This case marks the conclusion of several long and difficult proceedings for me, which began 13 years ago, with a series of judicial processes aimed at punishing me through charges that were essentially based on false statements and false witnesses,” Lushtaku said in his reaction.

He added that this time, as in all previous cases, justice proved his innocence, acquitting him on every charge. Lushtaku did not hesitate to share his gratitude for all those who supported him.

“I have always believed that truth cannot be defeated and that, despite challenges, delays and injustices, it will triumph one day. I thank my family, my fellow fighters, friends and all citizens who stood by me and never lost faith in me. Your continuous support has been my strength throughout this entire period. Thank you forever,” his statement concludes.

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The Basic Court in Pristina has declared the mayor of Skenderaj, Sami Lushtaku, innocent in the “Drenica” case, part of the indictments brought by the EULEX Prosecution.

In a reaction after the verdict, Lushtaku stressed that the court confirmed his innocence regarding claims of witness tampering in the “Drenica 1” case. He described this as the closure of a long cycle of proceedings that began 13 years ago.

According to him, all these proceedings aimed to convict him through charges built on false statements and witnesses. Lushtaku added that in this case as well, as in all previous ones, the court proved his innocence on each count of the indictment.

“I have always believed that the truth is invincible and that, despite obstacles, delays, and injustices, it will come to light,” Lushtaku stated in his reaction. He thanked his family, fellow fighters, friends, and citizens who stood by him and did not lose faith throughout this period.

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After the defendant for threats, Eqrem Avdullahu, pleaded guilty in court, the head of the KLA War Veterans Organization, Hysni Gucati, has warned that he will use all legal means against individuals who damage the image of the Kosovo Liberation Army and its former members.

Speaking outside the court session in Drenas, Gucati stated that he has already initiated several other criminal proceedings, including in countries like Germany and Austria, against individuals who have blackmailed or offended the war. He called on all veterans and families of martyrs not to engage in verbal debates, but to turn to institutional channels to protect their dignity. “We don’t need to argue among ourselves, let justice take its course,” he emphasized, among other things.

The head of the veterans revealed details about two concrete cases for which he has filed lawsuits in Dortmund, Germany, mentioning individuals of origin from Skenderaj and Malisheva, who have been identified by German authorities and whose extradition is expected. Expressing regret over the case of the elderly man who wrote on social media about “execution by firing squad,” Gucati insisted that attacks infringing on his personal and family integrity cannot be tolerated, especially due to the position he holds.

Meanwhile, Gucati’s legal defender, lawyer Halim Shala, clarified that the main objective is for these matters to receive a final resolution within the justice system, thus protecting the reputation of the KLA Veterans Organization.

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Due to some technical difficulties, the initial review session at the Basic Court of Pristina for the 21 defendants related to the Reçak Massacre has been temporarily suspended.

The Special Department of this court announced that the judicial process was interrupted for the individuals accused of the criminal offense “War Crimes against the Civilian Population.”

Among the defendants are Zllatomir Peshiq, Mlladen Cirkoviq, Radomir Markoviq, Dushko Adamoviq, Obrad Stevanoviq, Zhivko Trajkoviq, Goran Radosavleviq, Bogolub Janiçqviq, Sllavisha Ivanoviq, Boshko Vukiqeviq, Sreten Popoviq, Nikolla Petroviq, Kërsman Jellliq, Lubisha Stojimiroviq, Bozhidar Deliq, Radojko Stefanoviq, Dragan Zhivanoviq, Milosh Gjoshan, Lubinko Cvetiq, Bozhidar Filiq, and Milovan Kovaçeviq.

The session was being held in the absence of the defendants, who are accused of war crimes against the civilian population during the armed conflict in Kosovo.

So far, the court has not provided any information on the date of the session’s continuation.

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