09.10.2024. » 12:52
#8 Accused of War Crimes in Vučitrn today pleaded about guilt
"No, I am not guilty, and I do not feel guilty," said Slađan Trajković, accused of war crimes in the Vučitrn municipality, during the hearing held on October 3, 2024, at the Pristina Court.
"No, I am not guilty, and I do not feel guilty," said Slađan Trajković, accused of war crimes in the Vučitrn municipality, during the hearing held on October 3, 2024, at the Pristina Court.
The trial of the accused, Slađan Trajković, restarted due to a change in the judicial panel, while the indictment was considered read with the consent of the defense.
When asked about his guilt, Trajković pleaded not guilty to the crimes he is charged with by the Special Prosecutor's Office.
Special prosecutor Florije Salihu-Šamoli stated in her opening remarks that after hearing the witnesses, the jury would be convinced that the accused committed the crime. She proposed that the statements of witnesses who had already testified be considered, while the examination of witnesses who have not yet testified would continue. This, she noted, was due to the length of the proceedings and to avoid wasting time.
Meanwhile, the defendant’s attorney, Dejan Vasić, stated in his opening remarks that he had prepared a submission, which he would present during the hearing, concerning the translation of some documents that had not been translated.
Furthermore, attorney Vasić requested that the court lift the detention measure imposed on his client and replace it with a more lenient measure, arguing that there was no danger of Trajković fleeing Kosovo since his entire family lives and works in Kosovo.
He added that the court had not provided any other justification for keeping Trajković in detention, aside from the explanation that he has dual citizenship and might flee.
Moreover, Vasić said that Trajković's family had offered a bail of 30,000 euros, which would be secured through a loan, to allow the accused to defend himself out of custody.
The words of attorney Vasić were supported by the accused, Slađan Trajković, who stated that he had no intention of fleeing Kosovo.
"I have no intention of leaving Kosovo, nor has it ever crossed my mind to leave Kosovo. I have nothing in Serbia. Everything I value spiritually and materially is here," said the accused, Slađan Trajković.
Subsequently, the presiding judge, Ngadnjim Arrni, granted the special prosecutor's request to consider the testimony of the witnesses as read, while the defense's request to lift the detention would be decided by the trial chamber outside of the hearing, with a written decision to follow.
Since the witnesses who had not yet testified were not present, today's session was adjourned and scheduled for another date.
It should be noted that the judicial panel in this case has been changed for the third time, and the proceedings against the accused were continued today.
The reason for the change in the judicial panel is that Mentor Bajraktari was promoted to the Court of Appeals, as well as Judge Valbona Musliu - Selimaj.
The new judicial panel consists of presiding judge Ngadnjim Arrni and members Arben Hoti and Kushtrim Shyti.
What does the prosecution’s file say?
According to the Special Prosecutor's Office, the accused, Slađan Trajković, is suspected of participating in killings, raids, beatings, harassment, arrests, torture, cruel and inhumane treatment, imprisonment, expulsion, and deportation of thousands of Albanian civilians in the village of Reznik and surrounding villages in the Vučitrn municipality during the Kosovo war from 1998 to 1999. He allegedly committed these crimes both individually and in collaboration with others as a member of Serbian police and military forces.
He is also suspected of looting, burning, and destroying the homes of Albanian civilians who were not directly involved in the conflict.
"In doing so, he seriously violated the rules of international law during wartime, the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, and additional protocols," the prosecutor's file states.
War crimes trials
For massacres and other war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Serbian and Yugoslav forces during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo, the highest former political and military leaders of the remaining Yugoslavia were tried, and some were even convicted.
Former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević was indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Serbian and Yugoslav forces in Kosovo. Milošević was also indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the wars in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in Croatia.
His trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague did not have a conclusion, as Milošević passed away on March 11, 2006, in his cell while in custody.
Milan Milutinović, the former president of Serbia, was acquitted of charges of war crimes during the Kosovo conflict.
Nikola Šainović, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war.
Dragoljub Ojdanić, former Chief of the General Staff of the Yugoslav Army, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for crimes against humanity.
Nebojsa Pavković, former commander of the Third Army of the Yugoslav Army, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war.
Vladimir Lazarević, former commander of the Priština Corps of the Yugoslav Army, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for crimes against humanity.
Sreten Lukić, former Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs for Kosovo, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity and violations of the laws and customs of war.
You can find the full judgment in English at the LINK..
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