The Prosecutor of the Special Court for Kosovo has requested a 35-year prison sentence against a former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Salih Mustafa must answer for torture, cruel treatment and murders committed during the 1999 war between Kosovar Albanian separatists and the Serbian forces of Slobodan Milosevic.
With our correspondent in The Hague, Stephanie Maupas
Prisoners of war locked up in a farm, accused of treason and collaboration, beaten and tortured for days… So many aggravating factors for prosecutor Cezary Michalczuk, who requested 35 years in prison against Commander Salih Mustafa.
” The degree of suffering and humiliation inflicted, the degrading conditions of detention and the loss of dignity are all factors that aggravate the crimes committed by the accused. With regard to cruelty, in assessing how the crimes were perpetrated, you should take into account the level of brutality, barbarism and zeal of the accused and his subordinates under his command. For example, your honor, the use of hot iron or batons, and electrocution testify to the brutality of ill-treatment and torture. »
During his trial, the accused assured that he was not present when the war crimes of which he is accused were committed. His lawyers will plead after the prosecutor. Verdict expected in the coming months.