Prisoner Besim Krasniqi failed to return to Idrizovo after medical release
The Criminal Court approved a temporary suspension for medical reasons in May 2026 but denied an extension on 16 June; the prisoner failed to return and the prison director notified the court on 10 July 2026.
Convict Besim Krasniqi was released from Idrizovo prison to receive medical treatment outside the facility but did not return after the authorised 30‑day period, the Criminal Court says. The court had approved a temporary suspension of his sentence in May 2026 after doctors concluded he needed examinations and care that could not be provided inside the penitentiary.
Medical opinion prompted temporary release; court denied extension
When it granted the initial suspension, the court relied on medical documentation prepared by Dr. Julijana Angelova at the Health Centre Skopje — Service for the Health Care of Convicted and Detained Persons — Idrizovo prison clinic, and on the opinion of Prof. Dr. Ognen Kostovski, an abdominal surgeon. The medical experts recommended additional investigations that could not be carried out under penal conditions and noted the need for procedures only available at the digestive surgery clinic.
After the 30 days expired, Krasniqi applied on 16 June to extend the suspension, but the court rejected his request. "After the request for continuation of the suspension, the court, by Decision PK No.10/26 of 16.06.2026, rejected the convict's request, assessing that the submitted medical documentation does not indicate the need for further treatment longer than 30 days outside the correctional facility. The convict B.K.'s appeal was rejected by Decision KS-KR No.923/26 of 10.0.2026 of the criminal council at this court and the decision of the enforcement judge was confirmed," the Criminal Court explained.
Despite the refusal, Krasniqi did not return to Idrizovo. The prison director, Zoran Jovanovski, notified the court of the absence on 10 July 2026. The court has issued an order for his apprehension and a warrant should be put into effect if it is established that he is concealing himself or has fled.
Krasniqi was arrested on 5 May 2024 in Ferizaj (Uroševac), Kosovo, together with three others, including his brother Agim Krasniqi. He was serving a sentence in relation to robbery, serious offences against public safety and punishment for preparing acts in connection with a terrorism offence; reports say Agim completed his sentence unofficially in Kosovo.
When asked whether a warrant had been issued in this case, the Ministry of Internal Affairs referred to the legal procedure: "In accordance with Article 559 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issues warrants at the request of the competent court, penitentiary institution or the Basic Public Prosecutor's Office. The authority that issued the order to issue a warrant is obliged to withdraw it when the legal conditions for that are met. For information on whether in the specific case a warrant has been issued, you need to contact the competent court."
Photo: National Museum of Health and Medicine / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
