The Kosovo Court of Appeals has partially amended the verdict of the Pristina Basic Court regarding the accused Zh.N., found guilty of war crimes against the civilian population, reducing the prison sentence from 15 to 13 years. The decision applies only to the sentence length, while the rest of the verdict remains upheld.
According to the Appeals Court, the 13-year sentence will include time already served in pre-trial detention since March 4, 2024. The court rejected as unfounded the appeal filed by the representative of the injured party, while partially dismissing the defense’s appeal as unsubstantiated.
In its reasoning, the Appeals Court determined that the first-instance court did not commit procedural violations and correctly established the facts, having properly administered the evidence. The only change concerns the sentence, which the court considers proportional to the degree of guilt and the circumstances of the case.
Full Statement:
The verdict of the Pristina Basic Court – Special Department, in the criminal case against Zh.N. for war crimes against the civilian population, has been amended solely with regard to the sentence length, while the rest of the verdict is confirmed.
Pristina, March 18, 2026 – The Kosovo Court of Appeals has partially upheld the appeal of the accused Zh.N.’s defense and amended the verdict of the Pristina Basic Court – Special Department, PS.nr.71/2024 dated June 17, 2025, regarding the sentence. The Appeals Court sentenced Zh.N. for the criminal offense of war crimes against the civilian population under Article 142 in connection with Article 22 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to 13 (thirteen) years of imprisonment. Time spent in pre-trial detention from March 4, 2024, will be counted toward the sentence.
The Appeals Court rejected as unfounded the appeal of the representative of the injured party, attorney M.S., while partially dismissing the defense appeal of Zh.N., attorney M.D., as unsubstantiated.
The Pristina Basic Court – Special Department, with verdict PS.nr.71/2024 dated June 17, 2025, found Zh.N. guilty of war crimes against the civilian population under Article 142 in connection with Article 22 of the Criminal Code of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and sentenced him to 15 (fifteen) years in prison.
In its reasoning, the Appeals Court noted that the first-instance court did not commit essential procedural violations. The verdict was clear, understandable, and consistent with its reasoning. All facts and circumstances necessary to establish the elements of the criminal offense were considered.
The Appeals Court confirmed that the first-instance court correctly established the factual situation, having properly examined and evaluated the evidence individually and in connection. The conclusions reached are legally sound, and the facts were fully verified based on admissible evidence.
The court also confirmed that the first-instance court correctly applied the Criminal Code and that all elements of the offense of war crimes against the civilian population were established.
The Appeals Court amended only the sentence, determining that a 13-year prison term is proportional to the degree of guilt, the circumstances of the crime, and the need to express social condemnation for acts constituting serious violations of international humanitarian law.
