The Court of Appeals has upheld the defense’s appeal and ruled that the criminal case against Endrit Nika be sent back for retrial and a new decision. Nika had been sentenced by the Basic Court in Pristina to 18 years in prison for the murder of a 27-year-old woman from Argentina at the “Sonoma” hotel in Fushë Kosovë.

The decision was made public by lawyer Tomë Gashi, who currently represents Nika.

According to Gashi, the prosecution had sought a life sentence for the defendant, while the Basic Court had imposed an 18-year prison sentence.

“The Court of Appeals has upheld the defense’s appeal and ruled that the case be sent back for retrial and a new decision,” Gashi stated.

The lawyer described the decision as important for how the criminal proceedings are conducted and handled.

“This decision is important because, in these criminal proceedings, the truth cannot be built on assumptions, interpretations or prejudices,” he wrote.

Gashi stressed that criminal responsibility must be determined based on evidence.

“It must be determined solely on EVIDENCE,” the lawyer emphasized.

Following the Court of Appeals’ decision, the case will be reviewed again through retrial proceedings.

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He had been found guilty at first instance of inciting his wife, Ivana, to jump from a balcony while holding their daughter in her arms, as well as of committing prolonged domestic violence.

In its statement, the Court of Appeals in Skopje informed the public and the media that, in criminal case KZ-549/26, following the public hearing held on 18.06.2026, a ruling was issued rejecting as unfounded the appeal of the defendant, Stojance Jovanovski from Skopje, while confirming the judgment of the Basic Criminal Court of Skopje K.br.551/26 dated 07.05.2026.

The court also announced that the full decision will be made public soon.

In May, Jovanovski was sentenced to 12 years in prison for domestic violence, endangering security, and incitement to suicide.

The tragic incident occurred on March 2 of this year, when Ivana lost her life after jumping from a balcony together with their six-year-old daughter, Katja.

During the court proceedings, it was established that Jovanovski had continuously abused her. The last incident of violence had occurred before the suicide, at a moment when Ivana had reported him to the police, but by the time officers arrived at the scene, she had changed her mind.

The violence that Ivana and her daughter endured for years had been reported to the police, while professional violations were found involving 39 police officers over the handling of the case.

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