The victims of the Kaludjerski Laz crime, which occurred 25 years ago in 1999 in Montenegro, deserve justice. President Jakov Milatovic emphasized that authorities must not relent in uncovering the truth and holding the perpetrators accountable.

In the village of Kaludjerski Laz, close to the Kosovo border, members of the Yugoslav Army killed six Kosovo Albanian civilians, including two children, on April 18, 1999.

Additionally, five others were injured during this attack, which coincided with NATO’s 78-day bombing campaign in Yugoslavia aimed at compelling President Slobodan Milosevic to withdraw Serbian forces from Kosovo.

According to prosecutors, from April to May 1999, 11 more ethnic Albanians were killed in the vicinity while fleeing Kosovo amid the NATO bombings.

The perpetrators of these crimes have yet to face justice.

Milatovic remarked that this event signifies a dark moment in Montenegrin history, marked by the loss of innocent lives seeking refuge.

“The victims deserve justice, which is why I urge the relevant authorities to remain steadfast in uncovering the full truth and ensuring accountability for the offenders. I also advocate for the construction of a respectful memorial to honor the victims and educate future generations,” Milatovic stated.

This year, NGOs have similarly urged the Special State Prosecutor’s Office to reassess the case. Action for Human Rights highlighted that prosecuting war crimes is crucial not only for the victims and their families but for society as a whole, as it can help prevent future atrocities.

The Center for Civic Education declared that justice for all victims and their families is a duty. “All those who were killed were of Albanian descent, having sought refuge in Montenegro from war, violence, and persecution. This suggests that the crime was solely driven by ethnic motives,” stated the NGO.

In March 2007, the Supreme Prosecution initiated an investigation against Yugoslav Army officer Pavle Strugar and 11 former JNA soldiers concerning their alleged participation in war crimes near the Kosovo border.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that JNA troops opened fire on a group of Albanian refugees attempting to cross the border from Kosovo. The defense claimed that JNA was safeguarding the border against potential threats from the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

In December 2013, the Higher Court in Bijelo Polje acquitted the defendants, citing insufficient evidence from the prosecutors. The Appeal Court confirmed this verdict a year later.