Verdict due today for Millorad Gjokoviq, accused of war crimes in Ozdrim near Peja

The court in Pristina is expected to announce today, at 1:30 p.m., its verdict against Millorad Gjokoviq, accused of war crimes against the Albanian civilian population in the Peja region in 1998–1999. The hearing will be held at the Palace of Justice.

What the indictment says

The indictment against Gjokoviq was filed on June 23, 2023. According to it, as a member of Serbian police and military forces he took part, in the village of Ozdrim in the Peja municipality and surrounding villages, in killings, raids, beatings, torture, arrests, inhumane treatment, holding people in captivity, and the expulsion and deportation of dozens of Albanian civilians.

Prosecutors also accuse him of looting, burning and destroying the homes of Albanian civilians. The indictment says six Albanian civilians were killed in the attack on Ozdrim. Three other people who were wounded were taken to the hospital in Peja, from where they were later executed and their bodies buried in Lutogllavë. Five other civilians are still listed as missing.

Charged under Yugoslav law

Gjokoviq is charged with co-perpetrating the criminal offense of “war crime against the civilian population” under Article 142, in conjunction with Article 22, of the Criminal Code of the SFRY, which was in force when the events took place. Under judicial practice in Kosovo, war crimes cases are tried under the law in force at the time of the offense, unless a later law is more favorable to the accused.

His trial comes at a time when the issue of the missing and war crimes is again in the spotlight. Just last night, at the UN Security Council session, Kosovo and several member states called on Serbia to open its military archives to establish the fate of the 1,577 people still missing from the war.