The Appeal Court of Appeal declares the mayor of Devoll, Eduard Duro, innocent.

The Appeal Court of Kosovo has declared innocent the mayor of Devoll, Eduard Duro, as well as the other 4 defendants, Astrit Seferkolli, Gazmend Haxhija, Gazmend Mali and Vojsava Bregu.

SPAK previously requested his sentence of 1 year in prison, as well as the removal of the right to exercise public functions for 5 years.

In December of last year, the Special Prosecution Office sent to the GJKKO the request for trial for the mayor of Devoll, Eduard Duro, and 4 other defendants, Astrit Seferkolli, Gazmend Haxhija, Gazmend Mali and Vojsava Bregu, accused of abuse of office.

Announcement of the GJKKO:

The Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, with a panel composed of judges Dhimitër Lara (presiding), Tereza Merkaj (member) and Nertina Kosova (member), on 06.05.2025, announced the decision regarding the case registered with act no. 25, registration date 26.03.2025, on the appeal of the Special Prosecutor's Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, against decision no. 14, date 10.02.2025 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, which has decided:

1. The declaration of not guilty of the defendant Vojsava Bregu, for committing the criminal offense of "Abuse of office", provided for by Article 248 of the Criminal Code, since based on Article 388, point 1, letter b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, "the fact does not constitute a criminal offense".

2. The declaration of not guilty of the defendant Eduard Duro, for committing the criminal offense of "Abuse of office", in collaboration, provided for by articles 248 and 25 of the Criminal Code, since based on article 388, point 1, letter b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, "the fact does not constitute a criminal offense".

3. The declaration of not guilty of the defendant Astrit Seferkolli, for committing the criminal offense of "Abuse of office", in collaboration, provided for by articles 248 and 25 of the Criminal Code, since based on article 388 point 1 letter b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, "the fact does not constitute a criminal offense".

4. The declaration of not guilty of the defendant Gazmend Haxhija, for committing the criminal offense of "Abuse of office", in collaboration, provided for by articles 248 and 25 of the Criminal Code, since based on article 388, point 1, letter b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, "the fact does not constitute a criminal offense".

5. The declaration of not guilty of the defendant Gazmend Malo, for committing the criminal offense of "Abuse of office", in collaboration, provided for by articles 248 and 25 of the Criminal Code, since based on article 388, point 1, letter b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, "the fact does not constitute a criminal offense".

6. The expenses incurred in the preliminary investigation phase, in the amount of ** lek and the court expenses, according to the attached form, are charged to the state, since the defendants pleaded not guilty according to Article 388, point 1, letter b) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, that "the fact does not constitute a criminal offense".

7. An appeal against the decision is allowed by the parties to the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, within 15 days from the day after the communication of this decision.

In conclusion, the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime ruled:

– Enforcing decision no. 14, dated 10.02.2025 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime.