The Special Prosecution has announced that it has filed an indictment in absentia against L.D. and V.O. for war crimes committed during the 1998–1999 conflict in Gjakova, Kosovo, according to Reporteri.net.
The indictment states that the accused, acting in cooperation with other members of Serbian police and military forces, violated international law by participating in the killing, mistreatment, arbitrary arrests, theft, and destruction of property of ethnic Albanian civilians.
Details of the Alleged Crimes
On March 25–26, 1999, during an operation conducted by Serbian police forces on “Tahir Efendiu Street,” the accused allegedly participated as police officers in actions that resulted in:
- The killing of one civilian
- The physical and psychological abuse of six ethnic Albanian civilians
The indictment further states that the accused surrounded the home of N.K., where several civilians were located, including N.K., M.M., S.G., B.G., B.Sh., A.C., and Q.Sh. They were allegedly forced to load aid materials from the premises of the humanitarian association “Mother Teresa” into a police van. The victims were then forcibly taken to the Gjakova police station, where they were detained in separate cells for 24 hours without food, water, or medical assistance, and continuously beaten and maltreated by the accused and other Serbian police officers using batons, kicks, and punches.
Tragically, M.M. was found dead near the Taliq Bridge in Gjakova on the day he was released from detention, March 26, 1999.
Context
This indictment adds to ongoing efforts by Kosovo authorities and international legal bodies to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable for actions during the Kosovo conflict.
