By hearing of the witness H.G. today will start the trial in the case known as “the Veterans,” on Monday at the Basic Court in Pristina.

Former Kosovo Prime Minister, Agim Ceku, acting Defense Minister, Rrustem Berisha, former deputy, Shkumbin Demalijaj, and nine other people are accused of abusing official position or authority. They’re accused for the period when they were part of the Government Commission for the Recognition and Verification of the Status of Nation’s Martyrs, Invalids, Veterans, Members and Internees of the KLA War, news portal Betimi per Drejtesi reports.

However their evidence, according to presiding Judge, Nushe Kuka Mekaj, will not be public.

In the session held on December 4, 2019, Judge Kuka-Mekaj issued a ruling that prohibits publication of the testimonies by the media until conclusion of the probation process. The aim was to avoid compromising the case, as witnesses could read each other’s testimonies and thus coordinate their evidences.

Furthermore, the court also ruled that witnesses should not be identified by the media, but referred to by the initials, although the judge clarified that they’re not protected witnesses, but this is being done in order to protect the process.

Otherwise, on 19 June 2019 the Basic Court in Prishtina confirmed the indictment, and in August that decision was confirmed by the Court of Appeal as well.

The Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo (SPRK) asked from the Basic Court in Pristina to order the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MLSW) to suspend the payment of pensions for 19,500 veterans until the completion of the litigation. But MLSW rejected the request of the SPRK for the temporary suspension of pensions for “false veterans”.

According to the indictment prepared by former Special Prosecutor, Elez Blakaj, the persons involved are charged that, by acting as members of the Governmental Commission for the Recognition and Verification of the Status of Martyrs of the Nation, Invalids, Veterans, Members and internees of the Kosovo Liberation Army War, from 2011 to 2017, they’ve  used their official duties and authorities to deliberately exceed their powers and therefore they failed to perform official duties, in order to enable illegal and continuous benefit for other persons, and in detriment of the Budget of the Republic of Kosovo.

This indictment includes 12 persons, charged with the offense “abuse of official position or authority”.

According to Betimi per Drejtesi, list of the accused is headed by Agim Ceku, and followed by Nuredin Lushtaku, Sadik Halitjaha, Shkumbin Demaliaj, Qele Gashi, Shukri Buja, Ahmet Daku, Rrustem Berisha, Faik Fazliu, Smajl Elezaj, Fadil Shurdhaj and Xhavit Jashari.

The SPRK has proposed the court to issue a measure for prohibition of payments for illegally acquired pensions of ‘KLA Veterans’ until the criminal proceedings are to be terminated.

According to the SPRK, evidences suggest that by unlawful payments to KLA war veterans, the budget of the Republic of Kosovo is damaged by 68,153,533.14 Euros. Whereas, the indictment filed with the court on 7 December 2018, it is alleged that the budget of the Republic of Kosovo is damaged by 88,769,217.04 Euros.