Established in 2015, this tribunal, comprising international judges and lawyers, is responsible for addressing cases under Kosovo law involving KLA combatants.
The court determined that Shala’s initial sentencing was disproportionate in comparison to similar cases.
Shala was convicted in 2024 for committing war crimes during the 1998-99 Kosovo uprising against Serbian forces, specifically for torture, murder, and arbitrary detention. These crimes were carried out while he operated an improvised prison where individuals suspected of spying or collaborating with Serbs were held.
Appeals Judges’ Verdict
Upon appeal, the original conviction by the Hague tribunal was partially overturned. Judges annulled several torture and arbitrary detention convictions concerning certain victims but confirmed the same convictions for other victims. Additionally, judges found that Shala’s role was not command-level regarding the murder charge. Ultimately, his sentence was reduced to 13 years.
“The reduction in his sentence in no way implies that the crimes for which he has been convicted and sentenced are not severe,” judge Kai Ambos stated to the court.
Shala’s actions described as ‘Particularly Cruel’
Shala participated in the hearing through a video link, dressed in a light blue shirt and tie. As the decision was read, he shook his head and was seen speaking, though his words were not broadcast.
Victims under Shala’s control suffered severe abuse, including beatings with batons and baseball bats, forced self-inflicted violence, cigarette burns, coerced sexual acts, and, in some instances, executions. Judges from the initial trial characterized the torture inflicted by Shala as “of particular cruelty,” targeting victims who were “particularly vulnerable and defenseless.
The majority of victims were ethnic Albanians accused by the KLA of collaborating with Serbian forces.
The 1998-99 Kosovo uprising against Serbian troops, led by then-president Slobodan Milosevic, is believed to have resulted in over 13,000 deaths.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
