The Kosovo Appeals Court has confirmed Astrit Zogjan’s sentence of three years and six months in prison for embezzlement and misuse of official office or authority. The defence complaint has been partially approved, only for the manner and deadline of paying the 5 thousand-euro fine, the Signal newspaper reports.
According to the Special Appeals Department Act, taken on October 9, 2026, Zogjani will pay the fine in five installments, within five months of taking the case. Each tranche must be paid no later than the 10th of the following month. In time, the default brings revocation of payment.
In the rest, Apel has rejected lawyer Faton Hyseni’s complaint as unfounded and confirmed the Constitutional Court Act in Pristina on May 14th 2026.
Obligation for compensation of damage, ban on public office exercises remains
In addition to imprisonment and fines, Zogjan has been forced to compensate for the damaged company, identified in the act of N.P.L. R.P. R.H.A., damage of 107 thousand and 675 euros and 21 cents.
Compensation should be made in installments within a year after serving a prison sentence, under threat of mandatory completion.
In force has also remained the additional punishment that he has been forbidden for four years to exercise office in public administration or in public services after holding imprisonment.
Defence called for lowering sentence, parole
The defense had demanded that the unique sentence be reduced to a year’s imprisonment and then be pronounced on parole. As an alternative, he had sought to replace prison with a fine, with the consent of the accused.
The lawyer had mentioned admitting guilt, repentance, lack of criminal past and family circumstances. Under defence, continuing work as an accountant would enable Zogjan to pay the fine and compensate for the damage.
Zogjani herself, during the Appeals session, had claimed that he had done the work under pressure from certain currents within the company.
However, Appeals estimated that the sentence is in line with the weight of acts and the degree of criminal responsibility. The court highlighted continuing illegal acts and considerable damage caused.
According to the college, admission of guilt was assessed as a relief circumstance by the first instance, but it does not force the court to ease the sentence under the pre-lawed limits.
In the same case, Faton Rrustemi was sentenced by the first instance for assistance in abuse of official office or authority, to a year in prison on bail, with a period of verification of two years, as well as a thousand euros in fines. He was also given a two – year ban on the exercise of functions in public administration or public services.
The review at the Appeals is conducted in the Astrit Zogjane defence complaint.
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/Gazeta Sinjali/
Source Layer: Signal