Justice Abroad’s Director Michael Polak Represents a British National Imprisoned in Serbia on The War Crimes Charges

Justice Abroad’s Director, Michael Polak, is representing Sadik Duraku, a British man currently imprisoned in Serbia on dubious war crimes charges. Mr Duraku’s family is now appealing for increased support from the UK government, claiming that the charges against him are baseless and politically motivated.

Sadik Duraku, a 54-year-old father of three from Brighton, was arrested on April 17, 2024, while travelling to visit relatives in Kosovo and crossing the Serbian-Hungarian border. He is now held in a prison in Belgrade, facing accusations of war crimes allegedly committed as a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the 1990s. His family, having collected extensive documentation, is adamant that these charges are unsubstantiated. They assert that he was never involved with the war, was not a member of the KLA, and did not participate in any violence. Born in Kosovo, which was then part of Yugoslavia, Mr Duraku and his family were granted asylum in the United Kingdom in 1998 amidst the war in his homeland. He became a British citizen in 2002 and lived a peaceful life, running a car wash business before retiring due to health issues.

This case has been covered in more detail in a BBC News report written by Alex Dackevych.

Michael Polak has expressed serious concerns about the quality of evidence in this case. Central to the allegations is a letter purportedly from a Serbian individual residing in Germany. Mr Polak noted that the letter is attributed to someone who "doesn't appear to be a real person." He also pointed out that the letter does not appear to be from a legitimate address and contains calls to "torture" Mr Duraku until "the truth comes out of him." Mr Polak remarked, "It is very unusual to base a case for a crime as serious as war crimes on this kind of document.” War crime cases usually “have folders and folders and folders of evidence about movements and actions. This is a war crimes accusation based on this really flimsy evidence of this letter."

Mr Polak emphasised that Mr Duraku’s deteriorating health warrants his release on bail and return to the United Kingdom. Under Serbian law, a defendant in Mr Duraku’s situation can be held for six months while the prosecution builds its case and decides whether to proceed with a trial. The family’s fears and concerns are further exacerbated by Mr Duraku's fragile health. He recently suffered a heart attack and requires prescription medication, which his family has delivered to him during prison visits to Belgrade.

Justice Abroad continues to advocate for Mr Duraku’s immediate release and is urging the UK government to intensify its support in ensuring justice for him.


Notes to Editors

Justice Abroad, www.justiceabroad.co.uk has been set up to help those trying to find their way through foreign justice systems with all the associated hurdles that present, to represent those facing gross breaches of their human rights no matter where this takes place, and to advise and assist the victims of crimes as to how to achieve justice.

Justice Abroad, run by international lawyer Michael Polak, has assembled a team of top investigators, lawyers, and support staff to provide unparalleled support, advice and guidance, legal, advocacy, and investigatory service for your Justice Abroad issues anywhere in the world. The Justice Abroad team with their trusted international pool of multilingual experts, their networks, and media contacts and their well-documented determination to leave no stone unturned in the search for the truth and justice for families who have been denied it is here to provide that much-needed support for families and individuals in their time of need.