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.

The post Lushtaku not guilty in Drenica case: Charges relied on false witnesses appeared first on Albeu.com.

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.

The post Lushtaku declared innocent for the “Drenica” case: Charges were based on false testimonies appeared first on Albeu.com.

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.

The post Gucati Warns of Lawsuits Against Anyone Offending the KLA, After Defendant Pleads Guilty to Intimidation appeared first on Albeu.com.

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.

The post Court Session for the Reçak Massacre Postponed Due to Technical Issues appeared first on Albeu.com.

The decision was made public on Wednesday by the trial panel comprising presiding judge Gent Beka and members Gazmend Bahtiri and Sulltane Hoti.

For the criminal offence of “Murder,” Krasniqi was sentenced to 22 years in prison after the offence was reclassified from “Aggravated Murder.” For unauthorized possession of a weapon, he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. In the end, the court imposed a single sentence of 24 years in prison.

Parties dissatisfied with the verdict may file an appeal after receiving the decision in written form.

Prosecutor Menduhi Kastrati, the injured party and Krasniqi’s defence counsel, lawyer Ilir Ramaj, attended the announcement of the verdict. The defendant was not present.

Krasniqi had pleaded not guilty at the initial hearing held on July 15, 2025.

He was accused of the murder of F.Z., which occurred in August 2024 in Zllakuqan, Lipjan, following a dispute between children, reports “Betimi per Drejtesi.”

According to the indictment filed by the Basic Prosecution Office in Pristina on June 30, 2025, Skender Krasniqi was charged with acting on August 7, 2024, in the village of Zllakuqan in Lipjan, following a dispute that had occurred that same day between his son, minor T.K., and minor A.Z., the son of witness B.Z. The latter is the nephew of the late F.Z.

The dispute concerned the minors’ communications on the social media platform TikTok. According to the indictment, T.K. caused serious bodily injuries to A.Z. with a knife. When F.Z. returned from work and learned about the incident, he set off with witness I.Z. toward Skender Krasniqi’s home to find out and clarify what had happened.

The indictment alleges that witness I.Z. spoke with witness N.K., who asked him to leave, telling him that she did not know what had happened. The defendant then came out of the house and headed toward the yard gate, where F.Z. and witnesses I.Z. and F.K. were standing. Witness B.K. also approached them there.

After the conversation ended, F.Z. and I.Z. left the gate of Krasniqi’s home and headed toward the village road. According to the indictment, they saw minor T.K. coming out from the upper part of the yard. Angered, F.Z. and I.Z. headed toward him and entered the defendant’s yard, where an argument involving shouting began. T.K. was holding a knife, which he was asked to drop.

At one point, according to the indictment, witnesses N.K. and B.K. intervened, while the parties began to separate. I.Z. headed toward the road and F.Z. followed him. In those circumstances, it is alleged that Skender Krasniqi took the knife from minor T.K. and, with the intent to kill F.Z., stabbed him twice in succession, causing fatal injuries.

At around 1:02 p.m., F.Z. was taken to the Family Medicine Centre in the village of Magure, in the Municipality of Lipjan, showing no signs of life, where his death was confirmed.

In this case, Krasniqi was initially charged with the criminal offence of “Aggravated Murder,” under Article 173, paragraph 1, point 1.4 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.

Under the second count of the indictment, Skender Krasniqi was also charged with unauthorized possession of a knife, in violation of the applicable weapons law. According to the prosecution, this was the knife used to inflict fatal injuries on F.Z. In addition, three other knives were found and seized during a search of the defendant’s house and yard.

Under this count, he was charged with the criminal offence of “Unauthorized Ownership, Control or Possession of Weapons,” pursuant to Article 366, paragraph 2 in conjunction with paragraph 1.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.

The post Skender Krasniqi Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison Over Killing in Zllakuqan appeared first on Albeu.com.