Specialist Prosecutor Kimberly West welcomed today’s verdict in the trial of Pjetër Shala, highlighting its significance for enacting justice within Kosovo’s judicial system.
“Achieving accountability for serious crimes – including against those, such as Mr Shala, who had previously avoided the jurisdiction of Kosovo’s courts for several years – is an important step for the rule of law,” Ms West said in response to the Trial Panel’s guilty verdict.
Mr Shala was found guilty of three counts of war crimes – arbitrary detention; torture; and murder – and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
“Today is also a day when we remember and pay tribute to the victims of Mr Shala’s crimes, who were predominantly Kosovar Albanians, and to those families who have waited a quarter century for the Accused to be held accountable,” the Specialist Prosecutor continued.
Mr Shala’s crimes were committed between approximately 17 May 1999 and 5 June 1999 against persons detained at the Metal Factory in Kukёs, Albania.
In its judgment, the Trial Panel ruled that at least 18 persons were held in inhuman and degrading conditions and subjected to psychological and physical abuse, and one victim was murdered.
Among the evidence admitted during the trial were statements in which Mr Shala admitted to his presence in the Kukes Metal Factory in the indictment period and the mistreatment of detainees.
