The Basic Court in Pristina has ordered pre-trial detention for the defendant Z.S., suspected of committing the criminal offense of war crimes against the civilian population.
According to the announcement, the judge approved the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo, imposing a detention measure of one month.
“Following the hearing, the Court assessed that the imposition of pre-trial detention in this criminal case is an adequate measure because, if the defendant is released, there is a risk of flight, as he also holds citizenship of the Republic of Serbia and there is a real possibility that he may flee Kosovo. Additionally, if the defendant remains at liberty, he may conceal, destroy, or alter evidence. Therefore, the Court considers that pre-trial detention is currently the only measure to ensure the uninterrupted conduct of the criminal proceedings,” the statement reads.
Official Announcement:
The Special Department has imposed a measure of pre-trial detention on the defendant Z.S. for the criminal offense of war crimes against the civilian population.
Pristina, 24 March 2026 – The Basic Court in Pristina, Special Department, has ruled on the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo to impose pre-trial detention in the criminal case against the defendant Z.S., due to grounded suspicion that he committed the criminal offense of war crimes against the civilian population under Articles 142 and 22 of the former Criminal Code of the SFRY.
The pre-trial judge approved the request, ordering one (1) month of detention.
After the hearing, the Court assessed that detention is an appropriate measure due to the risk of flight, given the defendant’s Serbian citizenship and the real possibility of leaving Kosovo. It also noted the risk that the defendant, if free, could conceal, destroy, or alter evidence. Therefore, detention is considered the only measure at this stage to ensure the proper conduct of the criminal proceedings.
The parties have the right to appeal this decision to the Court of Appeals of Kosovo through the Basic Court in Pristina.
