Pantovic: One-month detention for Spasic; no witness mentioned his name in 26 years

The Basic Court in Pristina has upheld the request of the Kosovo Special Prosecutor’s Office and ordered a 30-day detention for Sinisa Spasic, his defense counsel Ljubomir Pantovic confirmed, noting that the prosecution’s motion did not meet the conditions to be accepted.

Pantovic explained that the investigation into the case in which Spasic is suspected of committing a war crime began in 1999 and that in the 26 years since, none of the witnesses questioned had ever mentioned Spasic’s name—until a month ago.

“The court accepted the request of the Special Prosecutor’s Office and ordered one month of detention for Mr. Spasic on suspicion that in April 1999 he took part in committing a war crime against the civilian population. It is important to emphasize that the investigation into the crime Mr. Spasic is accused of began in the summer of 1999—26 years ago. That investigation was conducted by investigators of the Hague Tribunal, UNMIK prosecutors, EULEX prosecutors, and Kosovo investigators. Dozens of witnesses were heard. In all those 26 years, no one, ever, in any context related to that crime, mentioned Siniša Spasic—until a month and a half ago, when one witness suddenly remembered that Siniša took part in the crime, but somehow forgot to say so for 26 years. After that, a few more witnesses had their memories refreshed and also claimed that Sinisa was involved in that alleged war crime,” Pantovic said.

He stressed that this is a pattern already seen many times in Kosovo and that an indictment will likely follow.

He announced that he will appeal the court’s decision.

“We have entered a stage of déjà vu. An investigation will follow, during which some other witnesses will probably remember things they had not remembered for 26 years, and an indictment will likely be filed. We are in a situation where people are being arrested and prosecuted without any evidence. The request submitted today by the Special Prosecutor’s Office, I maintain, does not meet the basic conditions to be accepted and to serve as the basis for detention, because no grounded suspicion that Mr. Spasic took part in that event has been presented or proven. That is a fundamental condition for ordering detention. I will file an appeal; that is all that the defense counsel currently has at his disposal,” Pantovic said.

Spasic, an EPS employee, was arrested two days ago at Merdare on suspicion of committing an alleged war crime in the municipality of Vucitrn during the conflict in Kosovo.