Trial in absentia begins against 21 accused over the expulsion of more than 862,000 Albanians

The trial in absentia of 21 people accused of war crimes against the civilian population over the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Albanians during the 1999 war opened today at the Basic Court in Pristina, Telegrafi reports.

According to the Special Prosecution’s indictment, the defendants are suspected of having exercised authority and effective control during January–June 1999 over the forces operating under their responsibility during the armed conflict in Kosovo.

The prosecution claims they were aware of the actions of the forces under their command or control through operational reports, internal communications and their presence on the ground.

The indictment mentions the destruction and burning of homes, damage to civilian infrastructure, persecution and arbitrary detention of persons on ethnic grounds, as well as attacks on villages and towns inhabited by Albanians.

According to the prosecution, these actions resulted in the organization of forced columns of Albanian civilians who were expelled from Kosovo toward the borders with Albania and the then-Macedonia.

The indictment refers to a figure of 862,979 Albanian civilians expelled during this period.

The prosecution also claims the defendants failed to take the necessary measures to prevent the unlawful actions, to stop the perpetrators or to report them to the competent authorities.

The proceedings will take place in the absence of the accused, while their criminal responsibility will be determined by the court after examining the evidence and conducting the judicial procedures.