During 2025, a total of 15 indictments were filed against 55 Serbian suspects for war crimes in Kosovo, including 10 cases conducted in absentia.
According to the annual report by the Humanitarian Law Center titled “Trials in Absentia for War Crimes: Between Statistics and the Reality of Justice,” 10 verdicts were issued during the year. In these cases, 10 individuals were convicted, while one was acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Presenting the report, lawyer Amer Alija stated that 182 court hearings were monitored throughout the year. He added that criminal proceedings were conducted in 50 cases involving 154 members of Serbian forces accused of war crimes, including 24 indictments in absentia against 120 defendants.
In three of the concluded cases, defendants tried in absentia received maximum sentences of up to 15 years in prison.
The executive director of the Humanitarian Law Center, Bekim Blakaj, emphasized that time is a critical factor and that stronger action is needed to deliver justice for victims.
“Are we balancing the need for justice with international standards? Are we providing victims with the justice they have lacked for over two decades?” he asked, stressing that this is not only a legal issue but also a moral and societal one.
Meanwhile, Jürg Sprecher, the Swiss ambassador, cautioned that an increase in indictments does not automatically mean justice is being achieved. He underlined that trials in absentia should only be used in exceptional circumstances and in full compliance with international standards.
Judicial and law enforcement representatives pointed to ongoing challenges. Valon Kurtaj from the Court of Appeals highlighted the need for increased institutional capacity, while Leon Përlaska from the Basic Court in Pristina stressed that lack of cooperation from Serbia remains a major obstacle—particularly in ensuring defendants’ presence and proper notification procedures.
Additionally, Bashkim Spahiu noted that beyond international cooperation issues, authorities face internal challenges such as limited technological resources and gaps in case data inherited from the EULEX mission, as well as a lack of specialized training for investigators.
For context, in 2024 there were 14 indictments filed against 25 suspects, including six in absentia. Despite ongoing efforts, accountability remains limited—out of approximately 10,000 war victims, only 84 individuals have been convicted to date.
The report underscores a central dilemma: increasing legal activity does not necessarily translate into meaningful justice for victims and their families.
