The panel of judges in the “Banjska” terrorist case has decided that today’s court session will be closed to the public and the media, as a protected witness will be giving testimony.
State Prosecutor Naim Abazi requested that the testimony of witness A2 be heard without the presence of the public or media, emphasizing the importance of keeping the witness’s identity confidential.
“Today, the testimony of witness A2 is scheduled to be heard. We request that the public session be temporarily closed during the administration of testimony by the anonymous witness A2. This is to ensure the physical safety and integrity of the witness. I request that the session be closed in accordance with legal provisions on witness protection,” Abazi stated.
The defense attorney, Ljubomir Pantović, objected to this request.
“What the prosecutor claims—that a public session would negatively affect the witness and the overall process—I would agree with, if we had heard concrete reasons from the prosecutor as to why the public’s presence would harm the witness or the process as a whole. Since we have not heard any specific reasons, I propose that this request not be approved,” Pantović argued.
After hearing both sides, Presiding Judge Arben Hoti ruled that the session would be closed to the public during the testimony of the protected witness.
“The prosecution’s proposal is approved. The session will proceed in closed session during the testimony of the anonymous witness A2, in order to protect the witness,” Judge Hoti announced.
On September 11, 2024, the Special Prosecution of Kosovo filed an indictment against 45 individuals, including Milan Radoičić, for the armed attack in Banjska.
According to the indictment, the defendants had different roles within their criminal group — ranging from organizing and directing terrorist activities to financing and money laundering.
“Among the key accused is the individual who served as the group’s leader, Milan Radoičić, who played a major role in coordination and criminal activity,” Prosecutor Abazi said during a press conference on September 11, 2024.
The trial hearing for the three accused in the Banjska case — Vladimir Tolić, Dušan Maksimović, and Blagoje Spasojević — was held on April 17, 2025, during which all three pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, defense, and the injured party presented their opening statements.
In the initial hearing held on October 9, 2024, the same defendants had also pleaded not guilty.
Previously, the Basic Court in Prishtina – Special Department, in a ruling dated December 6, 2024, had rejected as unfounded the defense’s requests to dismiss the indictment and challenge the evidence submitted by the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo.
Subsequently, on March 13, 2025, the Court of Appeals confirmed the decision of the Basic Court, upholding the indictment against the accused in the Banjska case.
Currently, three individuals remain under arrest and in pre-trial detention in connection with this case: Blagoje Spasojević, Vladimir Tolić, and Dušan Maksimović, whose cases are being handled through a separate legal procedure.
