Ex-security chief testifies in Bytyqi trial

The witness testimony of former Public Security Chief Vlastimir Djordjevic has brought to an end the evidence procedure in the Bytyqi brothers murder trial. Police officers Sreten Popovic and Milos Stojanovic are accused of complicity in the murder of the three brothers, U.S. citizens of Albanian descent, in July 1999. Djordjevic, who is in the Hague awaiting trial for crimes committed in Kosovo, testified via video link. Ex-security chief testifies in Bytyqi trial He denied involvement in the murder of the three Kosovo Liberation Army members, stating that he had only been carrying out the orders of Interior Minister Vlajko Stojiljkovic to transfer the three brothers from prison in Prokuplje to Petrovo Selo, where the Special Police Unit training center was located. The former public security chief said he had found out about the brothers’ murders and interment in a mass grave via the media. During his testimony, he tied Police General Obrad Stevanovic to the police unit believed to have been responsible for murdering the Bytyqis. Stevanovic has thus far refuted these accusations. Following Djordjevic’s testimony, Prosecutor Dragoljub Stankovic said that he would amending the indictment. The prosecution and defense’s closing statements are due to be made in September.

Ex-security chief testifies in Bytyqi trial

He denied involvement in the murder of the three Kosovo Liberation Army members, stating that he had only been carrying out the orders of Interior Minister Vlajko Stojiljković to transfer the three brothers from prison in Prokuplje to Petrovo Selo, where the Special Police Unit training center was located.

The former public security chief said he had found out about the brothers’ murders and interment in a mass grave via the media. During his testimony, he tied Police General Obrad Stevanović to the police unit believed to have been responsible for murdering the Bytyqis.

Stevanović has thus far refuted these accusations. Following Đorđević’s testimony, Prosecutor Dragoljub Stanković said that he would amending the indictment.

The prosecution and defense’s closing statements are due to be made in September.