Atdhe Hetemi the director of the Institute for crimes committed during the war in Kosovo, stated that the Institute is obliged to investigate crimes committed even during the periods before or after the war.
On Thursday in the “confrontation” of KTV, Hetemi said that the law is explicit in this regard and should be respected.
“The law is very explicit in this regard. The main focus in this initial phase is the period 1 January 98 – June 99. In chronological terms when we speak, the law is very explicit because it says that the Institute for crimes committed during the war in Kosovo is obliged to document and investigate crimes that were committed during the period January 1, 1998 – June 1999, crimes that led up to the war, previous periods and does not set a timeline, we can go back much further and crimes that occurred in this post – war period which is June 1999-December 31, 2000. This aspect of time is determined by the lawmakers and we will undoubtedly respect it because we are obliged by law,” he said.
However, Hetem considered it a disaster, as according to him, there were crimes that occurred later and that were related to the war, such as the loss of limbs as a result of touching mines.
War crimes in Kosovo, more documented than in other wars in the former Yugoslavia
Atdhe Hetemi, director of the Institute for crimes committed during the war in Kosovo, stated that war crimes in Kosovo had the opportunity to be documented more easily compared to other wars in the former Yugoslavia, but according to him, this has not been fully done.
He said on Thursday in KTV’s “confrontation” that Kosovo lacked such an institution to collect and dispose of evidence related to the war.
“…I have noticed that the crimes committed during the war in Kosovo have been more documented compared to the crimes committed by other wars in the former Yugoslavia. This is due to the first intervention of NATO, various media or civil society after a period they have created an experience. Kosovo lacked an institution that would serve as a collection point to deposit these testimonies,” Hetemi said.
According to Hetemi, at each meeting were invited state institutions dealing with war crimes and civil societies, so that according to him, to benefit from their suggestions.
