The first conviction in absentia, an important precedent for the judicial system in Kosovo
Twenty-five years after the war, Kosovo has announced its first verdict in absentia. The convicted person is Çedomir Aksić, who committed war crimes in Recak, Mulapolc and Petrova - villages in the Shtime municipality. At the end of last year, the Basic Court in Pristina sentenced him to 15 years in prison, and this decision is being considered an important precedent for the judicial system in the country.
Over 12 indictments for war crimes were filed last year alone, with five of them being tried in absentia.
Meanwhile, in total, over 60 indictments for war crimes have been filed so far. Ten of these cases are being tried in absentia.
Amer Alija from the Humanitarian Law Center in Kosovo says that the number of indictments filed last year is half that of the previous year.
“During 2024 until mid-December, eight indictments were filed, two of them in absentia. Almost half less than in 2023. But if we look at how many cases are currently pending in Kosovo courts, from all stages of the procedure, whether in the preliminary procedure, where people are arrested and are in detention, in trial and in second or third instance, there are around 31 active cases in Kosovo courts. So, there are enough cases,” says Alija.
