Ramadan Morina has Serbia's citizenship, court detained for fear of escape

Morina today appeared at the Court, while special Prosecution had announced his arrest this week.

The court emphasises there is suspicion that, on March 31st 1999, the defendant R.M. had been participating in crimes committed in the village of Burim of Malisheva, as well as allegedly on the same date, had participated in the killing of 34 victims of this village.

In his reasoning for detention, the court says that if Morina were released, he could escape, as the same has permanent citizenship and residence in Serbia.

Full announcement:

Special Department has assigned the detention measure to indictees R.M., suspected of war crimes against the civilian population.

The Constitutional Court in Pristina, the Special Department, has approved the request of the Special Prosecutor of the Republic of Kosovo, and through the Act has appointed the detention measure of (1) a month to indictees R.M., due to the suspicion of having committed criminal crimes against the civilian population.

The preliminary procedure judge, after the hearing, I appreciate that the legal conditions for appointing the detention measure for the defendant R.M. have been met, as there is suspicion that the same in co-ordination has committed the criminal work war crimes against the civilian population.

There is doubt that by March 31st 1999, the defendant R.M. had been participating in crimes committed in the village of Burim of Malisheva, as well as allegedly that on the same date, he had participated in the killing of 34 victims of this village.

The court estimates that the burden of criminal acts is of serious and complex nature, so the appointment of the detention measure is necessary in this criminal case and that any other measure would be insufficient for successful implementation of the criminal procedure.

The court finds there is suspicion based on the defendant R.M. If found in freedom, it can be avoided in view of the fact that it has Serbia's citizenship, has permanent residence in Serbia, so it is possible that it can escape and that the same could be elusive for other phases of criminal procedure, the Court also finds that if the defendant is left in freedom it poses real danger that the same could identify witnesses and exert influence the same.

Against this act, disgruntled parties have the right to complaint at the Court of Appeals, through the Constitutional Court in Pristina.