The war crimes trial against Zoran Vukotić, accused of heinous acts during the Kosovo War, reached its final phase today with closing arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense.
Special Prosecutor Florie Shamolli emphasized that the crimes committed were targeted solely at ethnic Albanians, asserting that the victims were unarmed civilians.
“These people were killed simply because they were Albanian and defenseless. All were executed with firearms,” stated Shamolli, citing the prosecution’s findings.
The prosecution urged the court to declare Vukotić guilty and impose a sentence in accordance with the law, noting that no mitigating factors exist.
“Zoran Vukotić has been identified in multiple verified court rulings as a perpetrator of sexual violence against Albanian women,” Shamolli stated.
Her position was fully supported by victim advocate Makifete Salihu-Uka and Mema Mjeku from the Office for Victim Protection and Assistance, who emphasized the lasting trauma inflicted on survivors.
“The victims I represent are not just statistics. These are people who carry the burden of violence to this day,” Mjeku said, calling for justice after more than two decades of delay.
Defense attorney Abit Asllani, representing a victim, noted that even a maximum sentence would not be excessive, while Nebojsha Vllajiq, defending Vukotić, argued that many of the charges fell under res judicata – previously adjudicated matters – and should be dismissed.
Zoran Vukotić, who referred to the trial as “marathon-like,” requested a full acquittal, while the court is expected to deliver its verdict in the upcoming session.
Background: The Four Indictments Against Zoran Vukotić
Zoran Vukotić I – Indicted in April 2017, accused of participating in a massacre of Albanian civilians in Vushtrri on May 2–3, 1999. Victims include individuals such as Ekrem Mullaku and a 14-year-old boy. He was initially sentenced to 6 years and 6 months, with part of the verdict overturned and sent for retrial.
Zoran Vukotić II – Filed in May 2017, accused of looting, torturing, and executing four Albanian civilians in collaboration with Guroljub Paunović. He was acquitted in 2018 due to insufficient evidence, but the Appeals Court ordered a retrial in 2019.
Zoran Vukotić III – Raised in June 2023, charges include the murder of a 13-year-old Albanian boy, B.M., with an automatic weapon in April 1999. The case remains ongoing.
Zoran Vukotić IV – Filed in October 2023, Vukotić stands accused of sexual violence during wartime, classified as a crime against humanity. Proceedings were held behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of the case.
Additionally, Vukotić has already received a 13-year sentence, confirmed by the Supreme Court, for rape committed during the Kosovo conflict. The verdict noted that the penalty was proportional to the gravity of the offense.
All cases have been consolidated and are now being handled by the Special Department of the Basic Court in Prishtina due to their complex and high-profile nature.
