The Basic Court in Pristina has decided to reopen the trial in the criminal case against Milorad Dokovic, who is charged with war crimes against the Albanian civilian population, KosovaPress reports.
The decision was made because a statement by witness Nurije Krasniqi could not be found at the Institute for Crimes Committed During the War in Kosovo.
Krasniqi had previously testified that she gave a statement to the police about the case immediately after the war.Presiding judge Donika Shala Abdyli said the court had concluded that all possibilities for obtaining this evidence had not yet been exhausted.
“Nurije Krasniqi stated that she had previously given a statement to the police immediately after the war, although she could not recall the exact date. Acting on the defense's request, the court contacted the Institute for Crimes Committed During the War in Kosovo to obtain the witness's statement. The Institute responded that it did not possess such a statement. After reviewing the case, the trial panel concluded that, in order to fully clarify the facts, it is necessary to reopen the judicial proceedings. This is because the witness testified under oath that she had given a statement to the police after the war. In these circumstances, the court considers that not all possibilities for securing this evidence have been exhausted. It is necessary to seek the statement at the police station in Peja and, if necessary, from international institutions that operated in Kosovo after the war, such as UNMIK and EULEX, so that the final decision is based on the most complete examination of the evidence. If the court cannot obtain this evidence, and depending on the findings, witness Nurije Krasniqi may be summoned to testify again,” she said.
According to the indictment, Gjoković is accused of committing war crimes against the Albanian civilian population during 1998–1999 in the village of Ozdrim near Peja and other villages in the region. As a member of the Serbian police and military forces, he allegedly participated in killings, raids, beatings, abuse, arrests, torture, cruel and inhumane treatment, detention in slavery-like conditions, forced displacement and deportation of dozens of Albanian civilians.
Dokovic is also charged with looting, burning and destroying homes belonging to Albanian civilians.According to the indictment, these forces opened fire on the civilian population, killing six Albanian civilians identified by the initials I.K., Sh.K., E.M., R.Sh., Z.Sh. and M.H.
It further alleges that three wounded civilians, identified as A.G., H.G. and M.G., were initially taken to the Peja Hospital but were later executed and buried in the village of Lutogllava.The indictment also states that five Albanian civilians, identified as R.K., Z.K., A.K., A.K. and A.Sh., were allegedly killed during the offensive, but their bodies have never been found and they remain listed as missing persons.
