Four years from the murder of Aulon Zeka, family calls for the pronunciation of the final decision

Aulon Zeka's relatives say they are living in a bad dream. From the day that he was found dead, their only prayer is for righteousness alone. Even today, on the anniversary of the last day they met, they demand that the final decision be made for those who deprived of life the youngest child of their family. This case, which is considered the most serious in Kosovo, has been turned twice into retrial, while defence in the Aulon case says it should not procrastinate. The Constitutional Court has not provided details, but say the case has been in retrial and G.H, which has killed Aulon, has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

They will not believe what they witness every day, nor will they be requited with the most severe punishment. Family members are dissatisfied with the institutions of justice until they sometimes point to the abuses being inflicted on them.

Catherine Zeka was very close to Aulon. On this anniversary, the uncle's daughter says that she has been forced to meet with those who took his life.

Now the four-year-old case continues to be brought to our courts even until now is that there has been no justice. At least not for us. Family members are forced to face criminals who took the life of our family every two weeks or every two months, depending on how court courts decide. And today, four years from the day he passed, we continue to wander through our courts. We constantly have postponements of hearings in the absence of opposing parties. Then twice it's turned into retrial. For the time being, the case has not yet received the due sentence”, she tells Kosovo Press.

The murder of Aulon Zeka is considered the worst case in Kosovo.

His defence, Skender Musa, says family members cannot accept legal provisions that envision the punishment for minors.

“has been the worst case in Kosovo, I can at least talk about me and my experience as a lawyer. It has been the worst case of a minor, and perpetrators of the criminal act are two minors. Family members know of the consequences they have suffered, and they do not accept the legal provisions that are envisioned for the minors for 10 years. Sentences have been maximum for acts that have been charged with committing”, says Musa.

Family members are unhappy with the maximum sentence of 10 years for minors who killed Aulon. For this, Kaltrin adds that such sentences are failing to prevent such cases.

I think the law when it was written at the time was incorrectly written. We have also received messages from people who have compiled the law and said that after these cases that have occurred from Aulon since, they have felt guilty and repentant that they have set a certain limit for such a punishment. So I don't think it's deserved punishment. What's worse, it's not an example of fear for all other minors who don't know what purpose and ambition in life, but we're constantly seeing that violence is growing worse by promoting itself in this form”, she adds.

She adds that those who took the life of that 16-year-old world will be able to continue their lives, but not also Aulon.

“Aulon was the youngest member of the family and the youngest grandson of the house. And when the Albanians say: "Worthy death," he was the last on the list he deserved not to be part of the family and this world. I think it's not the same, especially when we see in the media murder, violence and major social problems. And I think that every time news like this opens our wound that for at least four years has never arrived. I keep living with this bad dream”, she confessed.

That Aulon's family were persecuted during this time, says attorney Skender Musa. According to him, this case should not last for so many years to make a firm decision.

It shouldn't have taken four years at all. It's been enough to end within a year or two because it's also about the minor victim and the perpetrators of criminal acts are minor. And if you go on to drag up the trial process, then the damaged side still violated their rights, and there's really been extreme persecution and it's caused them great suffering. Because of procedural actions or violations. Or second degree inefficiency and efficiency, not handling the second-degree issue. Because, you can't turn the case on essential issues twice or three times. In sensitive cases, the Court of Appeals has had to judge itself”, Musa points out.

The defence adds that it has had to avoid procedural violations and not turn the case into retrial, because the damaged side has even hurt more by facing court hearings.

“Detailed is the maximum sentence because the result is too great. Love has been very direct, even a will and a strong will to carry out and complete the criminal work. And there is no element of extenuating circumstances. The only fact that it's a relief to minors is because of the young age”, Musa reports.

The Constitutional Court has not provided details of this case. But they have made it known that July has become a plea and that G.H. has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

“Referring to your request, we announce that the case in question has been turned into retrial, and by the 1607.2021 date has become the declaration of judgment. The minor G.H. has been sentenced to prison sentences for nine years. The subject is in the complaint phase. In this case, we can't give them any more details, since in the courses where minors are involved, procedures are confidential”, the Constitutional Court's response says.

The only requirement of the Aulon family is to make the final decision as soon as possible.

Whatever we want from the state is to make the final verdict and not force us to go even to face those who have cut our lives”, she says.

Calterina, which has been very close to Aulon, prays that there will be no such cases in Kosovo. For him, holidays no longer make sense, since he says that there is an empty chair in their family.

For this murder, three minors have been convicted since 2018. G.H. is charged with murder, R.G. for accomplices in crime, while L. L for not warning of a criminal offense. The first minor is in custody, while the other two are free until the final decision.

On September 16, 2017, Aulon Zeka was found killed with four bullets near the school “Model” in Pristina.