The retrial of Ekrem Bajrović, accused of committing war crimes against the civilian population during the Kosovo War, formally resumed today at the Basic Court of Prishtina. The session featured extensive testimony from witness Naim Elshani, as prosecutors re-examine the actions of Serbian police forces in the western municipality of Istog.
Bajrović’s case has drawn significant legal scrutiny following a dramatic procedural reversal by the judiciary late last year.
Judicial History and Supreme Court Intervention
The case is being reheard from scratch after a successful legal challenge by the defense team, led by attorneys Ljubomir Pantović and Miloš Delević.
- Initial Conviction (July 2024): The Basic Court of Prishtina originally found Bajrović guilty, sentencing him to 12 years in prison for war crimes committed between 1998 and 1999.
- The Supreme Court Overturn: On December 4, 2025, the Supreme Court of Kosovo approved a request for the protection of legality submitted by the defense. The high court vacated the 12-year sentence and ordered a complete retrial, citing procedural anomalies in the original trial.
Case Timeline: Prosecution of Ekrem Bajrović
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September 15, 2023 --> Special Prosecution (PSRK) files official indictment.
July 19, 2024 --> Basic Court sentences Bajrović to 12 years in prison.
December 4, 2025 --> Supreme Court vacates conviction, ordering a retrial.
June 30, 2026 --> Witness Naim Elshani testifies as retrial gets underway.
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Severe Allegations of Terror in Istog
According to the official indictment filed by the Special Prosecution Office of the Republic of Kosovo (PSRK), Bajrović operated as a member of the Serbian military and police forces.
The prosecution alleges that during the 1998–1999 conflict, he acted both individually and in alignment with joint criminal enterprises to enforce a systematic campaign of terror against ethnic Albanian civilians in the Municipality of Istog and its surrounding villages.
Excerpt from Indictment: The defendant faces charges of participating in murders, unlawful raids, severe beatings, torture, inhuman treatment, forcing civilians into conditions of slavery, illegal deportations, and the widespread looting and burning of civilian properties.
The retrial continues in Prishtina, with further witness testimonies scheduled over the coming weeks to determine if the state can re-establish its case against Bajrović under the Supreme Court’s corrected legal parameters.
