The Basic Court in Pristina has once again sentenced Ekrem Bajroviq to 12 years in prison after finding him guilty of war crimes against the civilian population committed during the 1998–1999 Kosovo war in the municipality of Istog. The case had been returned for retrial by the Supreme Court of Kosovo, but the Basic Court reaffirmed the defendant’s guilt.
According to the indictment filed by the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo on September 15, 2023, Bajroviq is accused of participating, both individually and in cooperation with other members of the Serbian police and military forces, in a widespread campaign of crimes against the Albanian civilian population.
The indictment alleges that he took part in killings, house raids, beatings, abuse, arbitrary arrests, torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, unlawful detention in conditions resembling slavery, forced displacement, deportation, looting, arson, and the destruction of homes belonging to Albanian civilians in the municipality of Istog and surrounding villages during the Kosovo war.
Prosecutors argue that, through his actions and cooperation with other Serbian police and military personnel, Bajroviq contributed to the implementation of repressive measures targeting Albanian civilians, including murder, physical abuse, torture, forced displacement, and the systematic destruction and looting of civilian property.
The post Ekrem Bajroviq Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison Again in Retrial for War Crimes Against Albanians in Istog appeared first on Euronews Albania.
