Strpce residents divided ahead of Hague judgment—some expect convictions, others believe acquittals would bring peace

Ahead of tomorrow’s delivery of the first-instance judgment against the former KLA leaders in The Hague, residents of the municipality of Strpce are divided in their expectations. Some insist that the judgment must result in convictions, while others believe the defendants should be acquitted because that would help preserve peace.

Sokol Radivojevic said that if there was evidence that they were war criminals, the judgment had to result in convictions.

“If they are war criminals, they have to be convicted. They are saying there will be an acquittal; we will see tomorrow what happens. Of course, we have been living with fear for so many years. Something may happen tomorrow, but I don’t think it will be dangerous,” Radivojevic said.

One female resident said she believed the judgment would result in a conviction.

“I suppose they will convict him. I don’t know,” she said.

Stojan Stanisic said that, in any event, they should receive some form of punishment.

“They deserve the harshest punishment. For us, perhaps a substantial sentence would be up to ten years. We hope everything will turn out for the best and that the situation will remain peaceful, although we are not entirely sure and anything is possible. We do not feel particularly safe, but we rely primarily on ourselves. We do not have that much confidence in KFOR,” Stanisic said.

Miroslav Vucic believes that an acquittal might ultimately be preferable in order to preserve peace and allow the situation to settle.

“I believe they will convict them, Kadri Veseli and the others as well. But perhaps the least painful option would be not to convict them. In my opinion, it would be wiser not to convict them, so that everything can settle down and there can be peace,” Vucic said.

Another female resident said that everyone could benefit from an acquittal.

“I hope that even if he is acquitted, it will work in our favor, that he will treat us better. He was very good toward us before as well, because it was possible to cooperate with him,” the Strpce resident said.

Zorka Grbic said she did not expect a conviction, arguing that only the Serbian people had fared badly in The Hague.

“I don’t believe anything will come of it. They have only destroyed us Serbs in the Hague Tribunal all these years,” Grbic said.

Cedomir Davidovic likewise believes the judgment will result in an acquittal.

“Nothing will happen. He will be acquitted,” Davidovic said.