The Basic Court in Pristina, namely the Special Department, has decided on the request of the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo to impose detention on six defendants suspected of the criminal offense of "War crimes against the civilian population".
According to the official announcement, the pre-trial judge has approved the Prosecution's request for the four defendants with the initials GT, RK, ST and PT, assigning them a detention order of one month for each.
Meanwhile, the request for detention on remand against the defendant NT was rejected, as the court assessed that the well-founded suspicion that he committed the criminal offense for which he is suspected has not been proven.
The defendants are charged with the criminal offense of "War crimes against the civilian population", pursuant to Articles 142 and 22 of the Criminal Code of the SFRY, as well as Articles 31 and 153 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo, in violation of Articles 3 and 4 of the Geneva Conventions and the relevant provisions of the Additional Protocols.
After holding the hearing, the court assessed that detention is an adequate measure, emphasizing that there is a risk of escape, as the defendants also possess passports of the Republic of Serbia and may leave Kosovo.
Also, according to the court, there is a risk that they will influence witnesses and injured parties if they are released.
The court reasoned that detention, at this stage of the procedure, is the only measure that guarantees the unimpeded development of the criminal process.
Against this ruling, dissatisfied parties have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal, through the Basic Court in Pristina./Telegrafi.
