Court of Appeals of Kosovo Rejects Appeals, Confirms Judgement of Basic Court

Strategic Insights -

The Court of Appeals of Kosovo has rejected the appeals of the defense lawyers of the accused LS and BH, confirming the judgment of the Basic Court in Mitrovica - Department for Serious Crimes, P.nr.229/2021, dated 05.02.2025. The judgment found the accused LS guilty of aggravated murder and unauthorized ownership of weapons, imposing a sentence of 21 years and 6 months in prison. The accused BH was found guilty of attempted aggravated murder and unauthorized ownership of weapons, receiving a sentence of 7 years and 6 months in prison. The time spent in detention will be counted towards the sentence. The court also ordered the permanent confiscation of the weapons and their destruction by the Kosovo Police.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Court of Appeals of Kosovo rejected the appeals of the defense lawyers of the accused LS and BH, confirming the judgment of the Basic Court in Mitrovica - Department for Serious Crimes, P.nr.229/2021.
  • The accused LS was found guilty of aggravated murder and unauthorized ownership of weapons, receiving a sentence of 21 years and 6 months in prison.
  • The accused BH was found guilty of attempted aggravated murder and unauthorized ownership of weapons, receiving a sentence of 7 years and 6 months in prison.
  • The time spent in detention from 01.03.2021 will be counted towards the sentence imposed.
  • The court ordered the permanent confiscation of the weapons and their destruction by the Kosovo Police.
  • The judgment assessed the appeal claims of the defendants' defense counsel and concluded that the essential violations of the provisions of criminal procedure were not violated.
  • The court found that the factual situation was established in a fair and complete manner, and that the sentences imposed by the first instance court will achieve the effect and purpose of the sentence.

Statistics:

  • The accredited LS received a sentence of 21 years and 6 months in prison.
  • The accused BH received a sentence of 7 years and 6 months in prison.
  • The time spent in detention from 01.03.2021 will be counted towards the sentence imposed.

Sources:

  • Court of Appeals of Kosovo, News Release, "Court of Appeals of Kosovo has rejected as unfounded the appeals of the defense lawyers of the accused LS and BH" https://apeli.gjyqesori-rks.org/