The trial of Zoran Vukotic who faces four war crimes charges, continued behind closed doors on Tuesday at the Basic Court in Pristina.
This was confirmed by the presiding judge, Rrahman Beqiri, reports “Betimi për Drejtësi”.
He mentioned that the session is ongoing with the testimony of two doctors in the case.
The Special Prosecution had filed four charges against Vukotić for war crimes committed against the civilian population during the years 1998-1999. However, at the request of Vukotić’s defense lawyer, Nebojsha Vllajić, the case was consolidated on August 22, 2024.
Additionally, the session of October 14, 2024, was also closed to the public, and Judge Beqiri had announced that the planned sessions on October 14, 15, 16, and 21, 2024, would also be closed.
“Zoran Vukotić I”
In the first indictment filed by the Special Prosecution on April 20, 2017, Zoran Vukotić is charged with participating in an attack on the Albanian civilian population between May 2 and 3, 1999, as a reserve police officer from the police station in Vushtrri, in collaboration with other individuals from the Serbian forces.
The indictment claims that during this period, the civilian population was subjected to brutal and illegal killings, inhuman treatment, immense suffering, displacement, and the use of terror tactics.
The indictment lists victims, including Ekrem Mullaku, Xhavit Mullaku, Fatmir (Ahmet) Gërxhaliu, Eshref Rashica, Adnan Bunjaku, Rrahmon Ademi, a 14-year-old unidentified child, Haki Ademi, Shaip Gërxhaliu, Musa Gërxhaliu, Bajram Gërxhaliu, Bahrije Gërxhaliu, and Avdi Gërxhaliu.
On May 25, 2018, the Mitrovica Basic Court found Vukotić guilty for the third count of the indictment, sentencing him to 6 years and 6 months in prison for war crimes against the civilian population under the Geneva Conventions.
In 2019, the Court of Appeals sent the case back for retrial regarding the first count of the indictment, which concerned his participation in the killing of Albanian civilians in the village of Studime in Vushtrri, from which he had been acquitted by the lower court. As for the second count, the Court of Appeals upheld the 6-year-and-6-month sentence, dismissing the appeals as unfounded.
“Zoran Vukotić II”
In the second indictment filed on May 16, 2017, Zoran Vukotić is accused of looting Albanian civilians’ homes in Vushtrri on May 5, 1999, in collaboration with Guroljub Paunović. The indictment states that Vukotić and Paunović, as members of the Serbian police reserve, armed with knives, pistols, and assault rifles, physically assaulted and later killed four Albanian civilians: Enver Rrustolli, Hamdi Fazliu, Avdulla Fazliu, and Fahredin Fazliu.
The indictment further accuses Vukotić of torturing several other individuals, causing them severe physical and psychological pain, and leaving lasting consequences, including victims such as Sanije Fazliu, Fikrije Shaqiri, Vehbi Xhema, and others.
On May 16, 2018, Vukotić was acquitted of this charge by the Mitrovica Basic Court due to lack of evidence, as stated by the presiding judge, Dariusz Sielicki, who emphasized that guilt must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
However, following an appeal by the Special Prosecution, the Court of Appeals decided on January 9, 2019, to send the case for retrial.
“Zoran Vukotić III”
The third indictment, filed on June 23, 2023, charges Vukotić with war crimes for the killing of a 13-year-old Albanian child, B.M., on April 18, 1999, near the Vushtrri city cemetery. According to the indictment, Vukotić, along with other individuals, opened fire on the child and his cousin, killing B.M. and causing severe trauma to the surviving child, Faton Muli.
The indictment accuses Vukotić of violating international law during the conflict in Kosovo and engaging in war crimes against the civilian population.
The prosecution later withdrew the first part of the indictment regarding the killing of B.M. but continued with the second part of the charges.
“Zoran Vukotić IV”
The fourth indictment, filed on October 4, 2023, accuses Vukotić of war crimes against the civilian population, including charges of sexual violence during the war. This trial began in November 2023, with the session closed to the public.
Due to the complexity of the case, these trials have been transferred from the Mitrovica Basic Court to the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina.
In a separate case, Vukotić was accused of participating in the expulsion of Albanian civilians and committing physical and psychological violence against them in Vushtrri. He was convicted in November 2022 to 10 years in prison for sexual violence but the Court of Appeals increased the sentence to 13 years in February 2023, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court.
