Specialised Prosecutor Wants Salih Mustafa Sentence to Long Prison

While presenting the concluding statement of the Specialised Prosecutor's Office, Smtih has said Salih Mustafa had a double role, according to him as commander and direct author in the abuses the prosecution claims were carried out in a detention house in the village of Zlath.

My office asked you to give a long prison sentence to the accused. You know we don't do this easily but only after a deep examination of all the factors which will be considered for setting a fair sentence on such a serious occasion. The reality of the charges of crimes charged, including the enormous effect they have had on the lives of victims and their families, is an important aspect to consider. In this case, the accused's dual role as commander and participant constitutes a major factor in his sentence. As a direct author Salih Mustafa assured those under his command to treat the victims with exceptional brutality and severity”, the Specialised Prosecutor has said.

The specialised prosecutor has said that this court case concerns the victims and their families who, according to him, have suffered a lifetime because of Salih Mustaf.

This case also concerns victims and their families, innocent people who have mourned pain throughout their lives because of the accused, this issue also concerns accountability by confirming the rule of the law for the future, a future based on justice that victims and their families have been demanding so long and their freedom to live their lives as equal members of the community in Kosovo. For these reasons and based solely on evidence and law, we ask you to declare the accused guilty of the crimes charged and to provide the recommended sentence because this is the right and proper way for the serious crimes he committed”, the Special Prosecutor said.

During the closing statement, Smith has said Salih Mustafa has made no effort to express regret for the victims.

The defendant has never made an effort to express sympathy or sympathy for the victims of his crimes you heard here deposit during the past year. Although he has heard of the victim being beaten until the skin is filled with black marks, as victims of 1617 were subjected to strokes, as victims are stigmatized by their communities, how they have mourned physically and mentally and continue to suffer, never offered sympathy or accept the damage they have caused. Along with the heavy factors, the full lack of buffer factors are in favour of the sentence recommended by our” office, Smith said.

Smith has once again talked about what he considers a climate of revenge and intimidation in Kosovo, which he claims witnesses have risked presenting themselves as witnesses.

The specialised prosecutor estimates that these actions should be accounted in favour of witness credibility.

Smith has said the evidence proves the responsibility of Salih Mustaf, who, according to him, had a command role in the Zlatsh complex.

Smith: Salih Mustafa was a commanding figure in BIA, attacks occurred in his presence

“He has not been connected to this centre, as he explained himself when questioned, he has said unequivocally and I quote I am headquarters, underlining his full and final authority over his subordinates to BIAï. He was a commanding figure in BIA in all directions, he gave orders and these orders were followed. The first time that witness 1679 was beaten up in the presence of the accused who launched an attack on this victim and then attended also the subordinates of the accused he led to put an end to him”, Smith said.

The judgment on Salih Mustafa in The Hague is at last, and now is the stage when closing statements of the parties are heard.

In this trial, 13 witnesses of the Specialised Prosecutor's Office have been heard, many of them protected and in closed or edited sessions.

And Salih Mustafa's defense has presented 15 witnesses.

Early in this process Salih Mustafa, who faces charges of alleged war crimes, was declared innocent before the court.

According to the Specialised Chambers “The confirmed indictment stipulates that approximately between April 1st 1999 and April 19, 1999, at a detention complex in Zlatko, Kosovo, arbitrary detention crimes, cruel treatment and torture against at least six persons” were committed. Also, in the indictment it is said that “in a date between April 19, 1999, or about this date, and about the end of April 1999, a banned “was killed at that location.

Salih Mustafa is staying in custody at The Hague from September 24th 2020, when he was arrested.