Delevic and Vasic: Alidemaj convicted for a nonexistent crime

Lawyers Milos Delevic and Dejan Vasic, representing Muhamed Alidemaj, who was sentenced today by the Basic Court in Pristina to 15 years in prison for war crimes and participation in the massacre of 130 Albanian civilians in Izbica, stated that their client was convicted not for an alleged, but for a nonexistent war crime, and that this verdict is yet another proof of an unfair trial by the Pristina court.

"The Basic Court in Pristina today convicted Muhamed Alidemaj, not for an alleged, but for a nonexistent crime. The first-instance court today literally just read the indictment and used it as the only 'evidence' against Alidemaj," the lawyers said in a joint written statement to Kosovo Online.

They emphasized that the reasoning of the verdict, which they briefly heard today, is not based on witness statements.

They pointed out that the defense proved that witnesses gave five different descriptions of the accused on the critical day, and that all statements were given after Muhamed's arrest—22 years after the war.

Delevic and Vasic stated that the verdict is yet another proof of the unfair trial by the Basic Court in Pristina for such criminal acts, as well as proof of pandering to the decisions of the media and the public.

"The defense is outraged by this court decision because it is absolutely certain of Muhamed Alidemaj's innocence," the lawyers said, announcing that they will seek justice at higher instances.