The third suspect arrested in Zubin Potok, Jugoslav Radojević, is accused of joining others in the killing and subsequent concealment of the bodies of 23 Albanian intellectuals who were stopped and executed in April 1999 while traveling toward Montenegro.
His alleged role is outlined in the court’s detention order, a copy of which was obtained by KOHA.
According to the ruling, Radojević was a member of the former Yugoslav Army’s Territorial Defence. Prosecutors allege that, together with others, he buried the victims in two mass graves that were recently discovered in an attempt to conceal the crime.
“With the intention of covering up the crime, acting in co-perpetration with other identified suspects, they buried the victims at the bottom of a meadow in a location known as Melaja, in the village of Kalludra e Vogël, near the river, with the aim of hiding the traces of the crime. Then, on April 18, 1999, S.F., S.F., D.I., and R.I. were also killed with firearms. After killing them, they buried the victims together with other perpetrators in the village of Jabuka, in Zubin Potok,” Prosecutor Florije Salihu-Shamolli told the court.
The prosecution also presented the testimony of a witness identified by the initials M.F., who survived the massacre. According to prosecutors, he was first assaulted and then ordered to place his hands behind his head and walk toward the mountains. The suspects then opened fire on him, inflicting gunshot wounds to his head and chest.
“At that moment, the victim collapsed and lost consciousness but could still hear gunfire. When he regained consciousness, he realized that neither his family members nor the police were at the scene. Despite his critical condition, he managed to make his way through the mountains until he reached the village of Germov, where he received first aid from his cousin, who worked as a medical technician,” Prosecutor Salihu-Shamolli said.
The prosecution’s allegations were challenged during the hearing by defense attorney Nebojša Vlajić, who represents Radojević.
“As for the grounds for detention, there is no well-founded suspicion. We do not even have evidence that Jugoslav was present at the scene. The only fact the prosecution relies on is the statement of an anonymous witness. The prosecutor says the statement is known to her and to the court, but it is not known to me. You need to disclose it to me because it is the decisive piece of evidence,” Vlajić argued.
Radojević also addressed the court, echoing his lawyer’s position.
“I agree with everything my lawyer has said. I have a lot to say, but you should bear in mind the fact that until 2008 I was not a citizen of Kosovo,” he stated.
On Monday, the Basic Court in Pristina ordered Radojević to be held in pre-trial detention for one month on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of war crimes against the civilian population in the municipality of Zubin Potok.
In addition to Radojević, two other suspects were arrested last week in connection with the same alleged war crimes. Shortly after the arrests, a mass grave was discovered on Tuesday in the village of Kalludër, Zubin Potok, followed by the discovery of another mass grave on Sunday in the village of Jabuka in the same municipality.
