The Basic Court in Prishtina has found ten defendants guilty in the well-known “Veterans” case, while acquitting Nuredin Lushtaku and Smajl Elezaj, as the judicial panel ruled that they did not have the status of official persons.
Agim Çeku, Sadik Halitjaha, Shkumbin Demaliaj, Qelë Gashi, Shukri Buja, Ahmet Daku, Rrustem Berisha, Faik Fazliu, Fadil Shurdhaj, and Xhavit Jashari were found guilty of acting in violation of the law and regulations set by the Government Commission for the Recognition and Verification of the Status of KLA Veterans, enabling others to unlawfully obtain veteran status.
Each was sentenced to one year in prison, with the sentence to be executed within 15 days of the verdict’s announcement. The judicial panel consisted of Gazmend Bahtiri (presiding judge), and members Ngadhnjim Arrni and Kushtrim Shyti. The indictment was represented by prosecutor Valdet Gashi.
Judge Bahtiri stated that the Government of Kosovo is obliged to establish new commissions within one year to administratively re-evaluate the list of 19,500 applicants for the status of KLA war veteran.
He also explained why the two defendants were acquitted:
The judicial panel further emphasized that after the re-evaluation of veteran status applications, the government must declare the validity of each individual’s status.
