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UÇKHistory and Memory

Kosovo Specialist Chambers · KSC-BC-2020-04

Specialist Prosecutor v. Pjetër Shala (Kukës Metal Factory)

Procedural status: Final judgmentAlleged or adjudicated crimes attributed to individual members of the KLA · The 1998–1999 war

Editorial status: Awaiting verificationDrafted from the cited sources; not yet fully reviewed by the editors.

Procedural status

From investigation to final decision. Where does the case stand today?

Path of the case

Stage 6 of 6: Final

  1. Investigation
  2. Indictment
  3. Trial
  4. First instance
  5. Appeal
  6. Final

Stage 6 of 6: Final

Final

A definitive decision after appeal, or after the time limit for appeal has passed.

Appeal status:The appeal and Supreme Court requests have concluded; the judgment is final.

Sentences imposed

1 sentenced · by final judgment

  1. 01

    Pjetër Shala

    13 years

    (18 years at trial)

    Final

A judgment concerning individuals is not automatically a judgment against a people, a war, or every member of an organization.

Outcome for each accused

Convictions(1)

  • Pjetër Shala

    KLA member, found present on several occasions at the Kukës Metal Factory

    Outcome:Conviction

    Sentence:13 years (18 years at trial)

    Final

    Convicted of arbitrary detention, torture and murder; on appeal the torture conviction was reversed for five people and affirmed for at least thirteen.

Charges and alleged conduct

According to the indictment, the arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder of detainees at the Kukës Metal Factory, Albania, May–June 1999.

Period covered by the charges:About 17 May – 5 June 1999

Charges

  • Arbitrary detention
  • Cruel treatment
  • Torture
  • Murder (all war crimes)

Findings

According to the judgment, about 40 people, 18 of them identified, were held by the KLA at the Kukës Metal Factory in inhumane conditions and mistreated; one detainee died of gunshot wounds combined with denial of medical care. Reparations of €208,000 were ordered.

Procedural history

  1. Confirmed indictment

    The indictment is confirmed.

  2. Arrest or transfer

    Arrested in Belgium; transferred to The Hague on 15 April 2021.

  3. Trial opened

    The trial opens.

  4. Trial (first-instance) judgment

    Guilty of arbitrary detention, torture and murder; 18 years.

  5. Reparation order

    Reparation order of €208,000.

  6. Appeal judgment

    Convictions affirmed; sentence reduced to 13 years.

  7. Supreme Court decision

    The request for protection of legality against the appeal judgment is rejected.

  8. Supreme Court decision

    The second request (against the reparations decision) is rejected.

Last verified:

Verification note:Most recent official information: the Supreme Court decision (25 June 2026).

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