PRISTINA, 11.04.2018 – The Association of Journalists of Kosovo was informed that the 2013 indictment raised by the Basic Prosecution in Pristina against Enver Sopjani who threatened journalist Vehbi Kajtazi is dropped because the statutory limitation for the prosecution of the criminal offence had expired.
According to Basic Court in Pristina dated on February 28th, 2018, it is said that prosecution against the defendant Enver Sopjani has reached an absolute statute of limitation, and as such the case is dropped by the court.
In the reasoning of this decision, the judge Agim Kuci stated that the statutory limitation has expired on December 12th, 2017.
The Association of Journalists of Kosovo considers that such a practice by judicial institutions is in contradiction with legal principles for a just trial and within reasonable time. Leaving cases of journalists in drawers by years and not offering a solution it harms directly the safety and lives of journalists.
AJK calls on justice institutions, in this case to Prosecution and Basic Court in Pristina to treat the cases of journalists on time and bring perpetrators in front of justice.