Kosovo Court Upholds War Crimes Conviction for Former Serbian Force Member
The Kosovo Court of Appeals has affirmed the guilty verdict against Ekrem Bajrović, a Kosovo Bosniak and former member of Serbian forces, for war crimes committed during the 1998-99 Kosovo war. The ruling upholds the 12-year prison sentence handed down by the Prishtina Basic Court for his involvement in atrocities in the Istog municipality.
Key Takeaways
- The Kosovo Court of Appeals rejected Bajrović’s defense appeal, confirming his 12-year sentence for war crimes.
- Bajrović was found guilty of participating in the murder, torture, and inhumane treatment of ethnic Albanian civilians in Istog and surrounding villages.
- The court found no procedural violations or errors in the application of criminal law.
Details of the Conviction
Ekrem Bajrović was convicted for his role in a series of horrific acts against the civilian population in the Istog area between 1998 and 1999. The Prishtina Basic Court initially sentenced him to 12 years in prison, a verdict now solidified by the Court of Appeals.
The indictment detailed several incidents:
- May 8, 1999, Staradran Village: Bajrović, as part of Serbian police and military, stopped a column of civilians heading towards Albania. Men and boys were separated, robbed, and then subjected to severe physical beatings while being taunted with questions like "Where is NATO?" and "Where is the KLA?". At least 16 civilians were subsequently shot, with only one survivor.
- May 7, 1999, Civilian Arrest and Torture: Bajrović participated in the arrest, kidnapping, and mistreatment of 84 Albanian civilians. These individuals were robbed, then taken to a bar in Gurakovc where they were tortured, and subsequently transferred to the Gurakovc police station for further inhumane treatment and psychological violence. Bajrović was specifically cited for hitting a person with his rifle butt and causing severe physical and psychological trauma.
Judicial Process and Absence of Defendants
The Court of Appeals found that the initial ruling was clear, understandable, and well-reasoned, with no violations of criminal procedure or criminal law to Bajrović’s detriment. While Bajrović’s case has concluded with a confirmed verdict, war crimes trials in Kosovo often face challenges, including the absence of defendants.
For instance, a major war crimes case concerning the Meja massacre, which saw over 370 people killed, recently began in Pristina. However, many of the 53 indicted individuals, including high-ranking former Yugoslav Army and Serbian police commanders, are being tried in absentia. This is largely due to the lack of official judicial cooperation between Kosovo and Serbian legal authorities, with most wanted individuals believed to be in Serbia.
Victims’ relatives, like Lush Krasniqi, have expressed a sense of abandonment but welcome any progress in these trials, even if defendants are not present.
