Marinkovic on Racak: Proceedings by Pristina's institutions are an abuse of an already concluded investigation

Former investigating judge of the District Court in Pristina Danica Marinkovic said that the renewed focus on the Racak case through proceedings conducted by Pristina's institutions constitutes an abuse of an investigation that has already been concluded, stressing that the facts had already been established during the investigation she led.

Speaking to RTS, Marinkovic recalled that, as the investigating judge, she conducted the investigation after the crime scene examination and the collection of material evidence, and that its conclusions were, as she emphasized, accepted in the proceedings before the Hague Tribunal.

"Based on all that evidence, the facts were established, and those facts are not in dispute. They were also accepted by the Trial Chamber in The Hague, where I testified as a defense witness in the trial of Slobodan Milosevic," Marinkovic said, RTV reports.

She added that she does not see what evidence Pristina's institutions are relying on in the new proceedings.

"They have no evidence because no crime was committed in Racak by members of the police," Marinkovic said.

Referring to crimes committed against Serbs in Kosovo, including the Klecka case, Marinkovic recalled that the investigation and trial resulted in convictions, but that decisions were later made which, according to her, prevented the proceedings from being concluded as expected.

She said that the case was later continued before the court in Nis and that the defendants were again convicted in absentia.

"You never know. Once the judgment becomes final, an arrest warrant is issued through Interpol, and they can be found," Marinkovic said.

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije awarded Marinkovic the Order of Saint Sava, Second Class, in recognition of, as stated in the citation, her many years of dedicated service to truth and justice, as well as her contribution to shedding light on the suffering of the Serbian people in Kosovo.

Marinkovic said that the high church decoration represents great satisfaction and recognition for her work.

"It is a great source of satisfaction and means a great deal to me. I am happy, grateful, and proud to have received this order personally from our Patriarch. It is a great honor and a source of pride," Marinkovic said.