Specialist Prosecutor Kimberly West welcomed today’s judgment in the appeal of Pjetër Shala, which upheld convictions on all counts but modified Mr Shala’s sentence, as reinforcing the rule of law.
“I welcome today’s judgment, which reinforces the rule of law and contributes to achieving accountability for serious crimes and justice for Mr Shala’s victims,” Ms West said in response to the verdict from the Specialist Chambers Appeals Panel.
“I note the revision of the sentence imposed and the other findings of the Court. My office will be reviewing the full judgment carefully in the coming days,” the Specialist Prosecutor continued.
In the 16 July 2024 first-instance verdict, Mr Shala was found guilty of three counts of war crimes – arbitrary detention; torture; and murder – and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Today, the Appeals Panel affirmed convictions on all counts, emphasised the grave nature of the crimes and modified Mr Shala’s sentence to 13 years in prison.
Mr Shala’s crimes were committed between approximately 17 May 1999 and 5 June 1999 against persons – predominantly Kosovar Albanians – detained at the Metal Factory in Kukёs, Albania.
In its first-instance judgment, the Trial Panel ruled that the victims in this case were held in inhuman and degrading conditions and subjected to psychological and physical abuse, and one victim was murdered.
Mr Shala appealed the first-instance verdict and the appeal hearing took place on 15 and 16 May 2025.
Mr Shala was arrested on 16 March 2021 in Belgium and transferred to the Detention Unit of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers on 15 April 2021.