The Basic Court in Pristina has again sentenced Ekrem Bajrović to 12 years in prison, in his retrial for war crimes against the Albanian civilian population during the war in Kosovo in 1998-1999.

Bajrovic was found guilty of participating in crimes committed in the villages of Staradran, Zallc, Gurrakoc and other areas of the Istog Municipality in May 1999. The case was returned for retrial by the Supreme Court last year, and in July 2024 he was sentenced to the same measure, a decision which was later confirmed by the Court of Appeal.

According to the verdict, on May 7 and 8, 1999, Bajrović participated in an action by Serbian forces against the Albanian civilian population in the Istog area. During the operation, civilians were forced to leave their homes and head towards Albania.

The court found that Bajrovic separated men and women from the refugee column, robbed them and then, together with Serbian forces, sent them to a house in Staradran, where at least 16 Albanian civilians were executed.

Also, according to the verdict, on May 7, 1999, he participated in the arrest and mistreatment of 84 Albanian civilians. After their money and valuables were taken, they were taken to a bar in Gurrakoc, where they were tortured and mistreated in an inhumane manner.

A day later, on May 8, the detainees were transferred to the Gurrakoc police station, while according to the court, the convoy was led by Bajrovic himself.

The 12-year sentence will also include time spent in detention, starting from October 19, 2022.

The war in Kosovo left behind over 13 civilian victims, most of them Albanians, while thousands of people are still missing.