THE HARASSMENT AND PERSECUTION OF JUDGES AND LAWYERS IN YUGOSLAVIA

June 1990-May 1991

EXCERPTS FROM THE “ATTACKS ON
JUSTICE” PUBLICATION
OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION
OF JURISTS

Merushe Luqici: Judqe, High Court for Infractions. Lipijane
Redri Berisha: President, High Court for Infractions. Kacaniku
isa Demaku: President, High Court for Infractions, Decane
Isljam Musa: President, High Court for Infractions, Urosevcu
Daljip I3ega: Judge, thigh Court for Infractions, Urosevcu
Ramadan Shabani: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Urosevcu
Idriz Eljsani: President. Fligh Court for Infractions, Suvoj fleci
Basic Ajsa: Judge, High Court for Infractions. Suvoj Reci
Skender Zarici: President, High Court for Infractions, Glogovcu
Rifat Ismajlji: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Srbici
Azamaine Nimani: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Srbici
Aqif Tahiri: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Srbici
flagip Bajro: President, High Court for Infractions. Dragasu
Gani Keljmendi: President, High Court for Infractions. Peci
Jusuf Veljiu: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Kamenici
Shaban Spahiu: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Kamenici
Saljih Dzekaj: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Decane
Sefedin Bajraktari: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Dragasu
Muska Faziija: State lawyer for labour affairs, (Opsdnskog javnogpravobranioca), Dragasu
Miriman Vehapi: State lawyer for labour affairs, Dragasu
Hasan Përvetica: State lawyer for labour affairs, Poedujevo

 

The following 71 officials were removed by the Serbian Assembly on 26 November 1990 according to the Official Journal of Serbia (Sluzbcnog glasnika SR Srbijc) 112/90 of 3 Deecrnber 1990. No reasons were given. All are ethnic Albanians. On the same day, 39 judges were reportedly named to fill some of the vacated posts: all but one were Serbs:
Hlaljilj Keljmendi: Judge, Supreme Court of Kosovo
Haljilj Haljiljaj: Judge, Supreme Court of Kosovo
Suzana Sejdiu: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Lirije Coku: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Burbucé Hatipi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Vjolca Canhasi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Garajfilja Bytyçi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Hazbije Ramadani: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Nezir Bytyçi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Meliha Gashi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Osman Tmava: Judge, District Court of Mitrovici
Nuhi Uka: President, District Court of Pristina
Xhavit Krasnici: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Veton Kajtazi: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Shemsije ShehoHi: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Sanije Muçolli: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Ibrahim Maxhuni: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Fehini Shala: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Ramiz Krasniqi: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Rexhep Fusha: Judge, District Court of Podujevu
Shaban Ganiu: Judge, District Court of Podujevu
Bedri Krasniqi: Judge, District Court of Podujevu
Muharrem Sadiku: Judge, District Court of Podujevu
Haki Lccaj: District Prosecutor of Pristina
Nedzat Ajro: Assistant Prosecutor of Pristina
Osman Kryeziu: Assistant Prosecutor of Pristina
Bademe Sllamniku: Assistant Prosecutor of Pristina
Scvdije Morina: Assistant Prosecutor of Pristina
Skender Morina: Assistant Prosecutor of Prizrenu
Sabit Malici: Assistant Prosecutor of Gnjilanu
Valid Idrizi: Assistant Prosecutor of Gnjilanu
Fljarnur Kelmendi: Assistant Prosecutor of Peci
Zylira Ademi: Assistant Prosecutor of Mitrovici
AIji Aljiu: President, Communal Tribunal of Peci
Becir Bytyqi: President, Communal Tribunal of Vucitrnu
Aziz Podvorica: President, Communal Tribunal of Podujevo
Hadzi Derguti: President, Communal Tribunal of Klini
Memin Syla: President, Communal Tribunal of Kamenici
Ramadan Avdiu: President, Communal Tribunal of Vitini
Ekrem Pira: President, Communal Tribunal of Vitini
Emin Mustafa: Judge, Communal Tribunal of Mitrovici
Kojicn Velija: President, Communal Tribunal of Dragaáu
Dzevat Abazi: Judge, Communal Tribunal of Mitorovici
Kadri SyIa: Judge, Communal Tribunal of Gnjilanu
Sefcet Dzeljilji: Judge, Communal Tribunal of Gnjilanu
Masar Morina: Judge, Communal Tribunal of Gnjilanu
Seljim Berisha: Judge, Communal Tribunal of Fed
Haki Ademaj: Judge, Communal Tribunal of Peci
Dzeljilj Radonici: Judge, Communal Tribunal of Fed
Cernajlj Zubi: Public Prosecutor, Djakovici
Hasan Sadiku: Public Prosecutor, Gnjilanu
Iljaz Sahiti: Public Prosecutor, Gnjilanu
Haj riz Ljubistani: Public Prosecutor, Gnjilanu
Naser Musaj: Public Prosecutor, Fed
Gëzim Baljoku: Public Prosecutor, Fed
Sadri Mucaj: Public Prosecutor, Prizrenu
Haijit Dragaj: Public Prosecutor, Mitrovici
Haljilj Redza: Public Prosecutor, Mitrovici
Osman Mehineti: Public Prosecutor, Podujevu
Baki Krasnici: President, High Court for Infractions (Opstinskogveca za prckrsaje),Pristina
AIji Ljatifi: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Pristina
Zene lj Hajdari: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Pristina
Iljaz Kryeziu: President, High Court for Infractions, Gnjilane
Dzemsit Dzemsiti: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Gnjilane
Dran Simoni: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Vitini
Sherif Sherifl: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Vitini
Idriz Syla: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Vitini
Sabri Seljmani: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Mitrovici
Elharni Keljmendi: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Mitrovici
Haljilj Derguti: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Mitrovici
Nairn Murselji: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Mitrovici
Enirush Potoku: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Vucitrnu
Avni Madzuni: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Vucitrnu
Jashar Sinani: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Liljpljane
Merushe Luçjici: Judqe, High Court for Infractions. Lipljane
Fledri lcrisha: President. High Court for Infractions. Kacaniku
Isa Demaku: President. High Court for Infractions, Decane
Isljam Musa: President, High Court for infractions, Urosevcu
Daijip I3cga: Judge, High Court for infractions, Urosevcu
ilamadan Shabani: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Urosevcu
Idriz Eljsani: President. High Court for Infractions, Suvoj
Reel Basic Ajsa: Judge, I high Court for infractions, Suvoj
Reci Skender Zarici: President, High Court for Infractions, Giogovcu
Flifat Ismajlji: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Srbici
Azamaine Nimani: Judge, I-Ugh Court for Infractions, Srbici
AqifTahiri: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Srbici
Flagip Bajro: President, High Court for Infractions, Dragasu
Gani KeIjmendi: President, High Court for Infractions, Peel
Jusuf Veljiu: Judge, High Court for infractions, Kamenici
Shaban Spahiu: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Karnenici
Saljih Dzekaj: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Decane
Sefedin Bajraktari: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Dragasu
Muska Fazlija: State lawyer for labour affairs, (Opsdnskog javnogpravobranioca), Dragasu
Miriman Vehapi: State lawyer for labour affairs, Dragasu
Hasan Përvetica: State lawyer for labour affairs, Poedujevo
 

The following 71 officials were removed by the Serbian Assembly on 26 November 1990 according to the Official Journal of Serbia (S!uzbcnog glasnika SI? Srbijc) 112/90 of 3 Deecmber 1990. No reasons were given. All are ethnic Albanians. On the same day, 39 judges were reportedly named to fill some of the vacated posts: all but one were Serbs:
Haljilj Keljmendi: Judge, Supreme Court of Kosovo
Haljilj Haljiljaj: Judge, Supreme Court of Kosovo
Suzana Sejdiu: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Lirije Coku: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Burbucé Hatipi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Vjolca Canhasi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Garajlilja Bytyci: Judge. District Economic Court of Pristina
Hazbije Ramadani: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Nezir Bytyçi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Meliha Gashi: Judge, District Economic Court of Pristina
Osman Tmava: Judge, District Court of Mitrovici
Nuhi Uka: President, District Court of Pristina
Xhavit Krasnici: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Veton Kajtazi: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Shemsije Sheholli: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Sanije Muçolli: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Ibrahim Maxhuni: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Fehini Shala: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Ramiz Krasniqi: Judge, District Court of Pristina
Rexhep Fusha: Judge, District Court of Podujevu
Shaban Ganiu: Judge, District Court of Podujevu
Bedri Krasniqi: Judge, District Court of Podujevu
Muharrem Sadiku: Judge, District Court of Podujevu
Rrahman Ratkoceri: Judge. District Court of Lipijanu
Ekrem Agushi: Judge, District Court of Lipijanu
Besim Koishi: Judge, District Court ol Lipijanu
Shaqir Behrami: President, District Court of Glogovcu
Sefer Gjekaj: Judge, District Court of Glogovcu
Avdi Flaxhaj: Judge, District Court of Glogovcu
Arif Hasani: Judge, District Court of Glogovcu
ibrahim Dobruna: Judge, District Cpurt of Glogovcu
Itifat Abdullahu: President, District Court of tirosevcu
Isak Neziri: Judge, District Court of Urosevcu
Abdurrahiin Islami: Judge, District Court of Urosevcu
Habib Livoreka: President, District Court of Kacaniku
Vehbi Kashtanjeva: Judge, District Court of Kacaniku
Mustafe Dardhishta: Judge, District Court of Kacaniku
Fatmir Bajraktari: Judge, District Court of Kacaniku
Jasliar Kabashi: President, District Court of Suvoj Reci
XhevdetElshani: Judge, District Court of Suvoj Reci
Sadik Kuci:Judge, District Court of Suvoj Reci
Hashim Qollaku: Judge, District Court of Prizrenu
Hezer Dumja: Judge, District Court of Pritrenu
Emrush Kastrati: President, District Court of Malisevu
Dibran Bucaj: Judge, District Court of Maiisevu
limer Krasnici: Judge, District Court of Malisevu
Faik HaliIaj: Judge, District Court of Malisevu

Demush Krasnici: Judge, District Court of Malisevu
Rasim Zilonoga: Judge, District Court of Orahovcu
Agirn Metbala: Judge, District Court of Orahovcu
Sylë Lokaj: President, District Court of Decane
Safete Tolaj: Judge, District Court of Decane
Hasan Riza: Judge, District Court of Decane
Haki Balaj: Judge, District Court of Decane
Bedri Goranci: Judge, District Court of Klini
Avdullah Mecinaj: Judge. District Court of Serbici
Kojein Velija: President, District Court of Gori
Adem Sefedini: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Urosvecu
Isuf Hakiu: Judge, High Court for In fractions, tirosevcu
Imri Sejda: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Urosevcu
Azem Marmullaku: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Klini
Augustin Lazraj: Judge, High Court for Infractiont, Klini
Ramush Ademi: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Gnjilanu
Mirvete Ismajlji: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Gnjilanu
Etnine Salihu: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Gnjilanu
Naser Krasniqi: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Kacaniku
SeIi:n Idrizi: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Kacaniku
Beqir Halilji: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Vucitrnu
Bajro Ragip: Judge, High Court for Infractions, Gori
Sudan Gorani: Judge, District Court, Peci
Hidajete Veseli: Judge, District Court, Peci

 

On 28 December 1990, the following 9 ethnic Albanian judges were removed a cording to the Official Journal of Serbia of 31 December 1990.
Gaul Avdiu: Judge, Communal lribuiial of Srbici
ltamadan Jashari: Judge. Infractions Court of Pristina
Mejreme Zckaj: Judge, lnfractions Court of Prislina Mustafa Selimi: Judqe, Infractions Court of Pristina Faik 1-loxha: Judge, Infractions Court of Pristina
Ljushe Cainaj: Judge, Infractions court of l?ris(ina hat Krasniqi: Judge, Infractions Court of Pristina
Uavaja Ahunetaj: Judge, Infractions Court of Pristina Dalip Krasniqi: Judge, Infractions Court of Orahovcu

The same day, the following prosecutors were dismissed:
Shahin Bajgora: Deputy Prosecutor of Kosovo
ismet Ujkani: Communal Prosecutor of Mitrovici
All Dcmii: Communal Prosecutor of Orahovcu
Elet Berisha: Communal Prosecutor of Istogu

Isa Demukaji judge (see above), I?ashk Kuqi, lawyer, director of town council Nijazi ilillaj, lawyer and legal advisor to Decane town administration Xhevedet Lataj, lawyer Isat Muskolaj, investigating judge Zeqir Jlaniosaj lawyer, secretary to town council. On 10 November 1990. these six lawyers from Decane. Yugoslavia were arrested and de-tained. The six, all ethnic Albanians and local officials in the town council of Decane, wrote a draft statute For tile town council of Decane, based on the ?Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo.? The Constitution of Kosovo was adopted by ethnic Albanian mem-bers of the dissolved Kosovo Parliament on 7 September 1990. The authorities of the Re-public of Serbia, of which Kosovo province is a constituent part, have denounced the latter document as void and illegal. In a related action, on 21 December, 17 ethnic Alba-nian judges from the town of Pec in Kosovo were dismissed. Among the 17 were several judges who had refused to try a group of ethnic Albanians accused of political crimes.

The lawyers were charged under Article 116(2) and 138 of the Yugoslav Federal Criminal Code as having “made preparations for an attempt to change the borders with-in Yugoslavia in an unconstitutional way.? At the time of their arrest, the six were dis-missed from their positions in the town council. The trial was adjourned immediately af-ter it started on 11 February, after the lawyers challenged the composition of the court On 13 March the trial was resumed and ended the next day. All six were found guilty as charged and sentenced as follows: Mushkolaj: four years and six months imprisonment; Lataj: four years; Ramosaj: four years; Demukaj: two years and six months; Kuqi: three years; and l-iylaj: two years. The six were released from detention and will remain free awaiting the outcome of their appeal.

Idriz Gervalla: lawyer. On 21 March 1991, Gervalla was arrested in his home and taken before a local magistrate?s court where lie was sentenced to 60 days imprisonment for ?having caused disruption to public order.? As a lawyer. Gervalla has acted as defence counsel in various political trials of ethnic Albanian citizens of Kosovo. Gervalla had been previously arrested and held in detention in December 1990 after police searched his home and found a supply of copies of the Albanian-language magazine Alternativa.

Eva Brantley: U.S.-based human rights lawyer. On 2 July 1990, Brantley, who is blind, was detained by police and questioned for several hours about her activities in Yugosla-via on behalf of the Boston-based International hI uman Rights Law Associates. Serbian officials blocked entry to the building where a meeting between Brantley and local hu-man rights activists to investigate trade union rights violations was to occur. The meet-ing was held outside, where several armed police officers approached Brantley and re-quested that she accwnpany them to the police station for questioning. During question— ing, Brantley?s British Passport was confiscated and tier seeing-eye dog kicked causing it serious injuries. When Brantley?s passport was returned, her U.S. permanent resident card was missing and she was informed that she had to leave Yugoslavia immediately and would be persona non yvatu for three years.