Pristina - Today, an International Prosecutor with the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo (SPRK) filed an indictment in the Case registry number PPS 67/2014 related to the criminal offences committed during the Drenica trial.

Twenty four defendants are accused of several crimes related with the handling of prisoners by the Kosovo Correctional Service, the escape of prisoners from the Prishtina Hospital in May 2014, the medical care provided to some prisoners and theintimidation of witnesses in the course of the Drenica trial.

Following a long and complex investigation, 11 members of the Kosovo Correctional Service and one medical doctor now face the charge of Abusing Official Position or Authority andUnlawful Release of Persons Deprived of Liberty. The escape of the prisoners and abuse of the medical care provided to some prisoners is as well subject of the present indictment.

The investigation evolved in order to prosecute some defendants who, notwithstanding the fact they were incarcerated, were able to organize a group committed to supress the trial testimonies ofkey witnesses against core defendants in the Drenica case.

The investigation was conducted with the active support of Kosovo Police and Kosovo Correctional Service.