EULEX on Elezovic: We will continue to monitor the case; he is entitled to adequate medical care

EULEX is fully committed to supporting the Kosovo institutions in fulfilling their human rights obligations. Persons deprived of their liberty have the right to humane treatment and to receive adequate medical care, as stated in the response of this mission to Kosovo Online regarding the letter sent by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija to EULEX Head Mr. Giovanni Pietro Barbano about the poor health, treatment, and position of Ilija Elezovic.

Elezovic, who has been in detention for almost a month on charges of alleged war crimes, is a seriously ill cancer patient in an advanced stage of the disease, and there are no conditions for him to receive the necessary therapy and healthcare in prison. Therefore, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija requested that he be granted house arrest until the conclusion of the proceedings.

In EULEX's response, it is emphasized that their representatives had visited I.E. (Ilija Elezovic) on September 25, and the Mission was in contact with the Kosovo Ombudsman's Office to draw attention to this case, and they would continue to closely monitor the case.

Furthermore, EULEX's response states that "everyone accused of a criminal offense has the right to a fair trial".

"Pre-trial detention - as a measure to ensure the presence of the accused at the trial - should be used as a last resort. In carrying out its monitoring activities, EULEX adheres to the principle of non-interference. Kosovo courts are fully responsible for deciding on the application of security measures and, in doing so, must comply with applicable Kosovo law and human rights standards. In accordance with what was previously stated, in line with its mandate, EULEX supports the efforts of the Kosovo Correctional Service to develop a professional management team through monitoring, mentoring, and advice. In this way, the Mission enables the regular and mobile presence of correctional experts from EULEX in all correctional facilities in Kosovo, where EULEX can visit selected detainees to monitor the conditions of their detention," the response emphasizes.