The Special Prosecution Office of the Republic of Kosovo has filed an indictment against eight individuals for war crimes committed in Gjakova. The accused are identified by the initials M.K., V.M., D.R., Z.D., C.B., M.I., S.S., and S.K., and are charged with the criminal offense of “war crimes against the civilian population.”

According to the indictment, the defendants, from March 24, 1999 to March 31, 1999, in the city of Gjakova, during a large-scale operation, acting in co-perpetration and in coordination with police, military, and paramilitary structures, committed killings, forced displacement of the civilian population, as well as destruction and looting of their property.

There is well-founded suspicion that during this operation by Serbian police, paramilitary, and military forces, 65 civilians were killed and 12 civilians went missing.

The Special Prosecution Office of the Republic of Kosovo has stated that, based on Articles 234 and 303 of the Criminal Procedure Code, it has proposed to the Basic Court in Prishtina that the trial be held in absentia, as the defendants are unavailable to justice authorities.

The Prosecution reaffirmed its commitment to prosecuting all war crimes cases in line with the highest international standards, aiming to ensure justice for victims and strengthen the rule of law.