The hearing against Sladan Trajković, accused of war crimes, failed to take place after his defense lawyers, Dejan Vasić and Jelena Krivokapić, withdrew their authorization to represent him.
This was announced by the presiding judge, Ngadhnjim Arrni, reports “Betimi për Drejtësi.”
“The lawyers Dejan Vasić and Jelena Krivokapić did not appear. The court was notified through a written statement from these two lawyers that they have revoked their authorization to defend the accused and will no longer represent him in this criminal case,” said Judge Arrni.
Regarding this, the accused Trajković stated that the withdrawal was neither moral nor ethical on the part of his defense team.
“After 29 months, they cannot just give up like that. It is neither ethical nor moral for both lawyers to suddenly withdraw from the defense, leaving us in a very difficult position. The new defense lawyer also needs time to familiarize himself with the case, as he is currently not informed about it,” Trajković said.
Judge Arrni informed the accused that defense counsel is mandatory for the crime he is charged with.
“The court informs the accused that for the criminal offense he is charged with, defense is mandatory; therefore, the hearing cannot continue without a lawyer. I ask the accused whether he will hire a defense attorney himself, or if he does not want to, the court will appoint one ex officio,” the judge added.
Furthermore, Judge Arrni stated that through lawyer Dejan Vasić, another lawyer, Živojin Jokanović, has been authorized, but it is unknown if he will represent Trajković in this case. He requested time so that the accused’s family can find a new defense lawyer.
Since the conditions to hold the hearing were not met, the session was adjourned to a later date.
Additionally, other scheduled hearings for this case were canceled to allow sufficient time for the accused to hire a lawyer.
Separately, the Kosovo Special Prosecutor’s Office (PSRK) filed an indictment against Sladan Trajković on July 12, 2023, accusing him of war crimes against the civilian population.
According to the indictment, Trajković is accused of, during the Kosovo war in the period 1998-1999, in the village of Reznik, Municipality of Vushtrri, and surrounding villages, individually and jointly with others, participating in killings, raids, beatings, mistreatment, arrests, torture, inhumane treatment, holding civilians in slavery-like conditions, expulsion and displacement of thousands of Albanian civilians, as well as looting, burning, and destruction of homes of Albanian civilians who were not directly involved in the conflict.
Through these actions, Trajković is charged with the criminal offense of “War Crimes against the Civilian Population,” as defined and punishable under Article 142 and 22 of the Criminal Code of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, currently classified as crimes against humanity under Article 143, paragraph 1, subparagraphs 1.4, 1.6, and 1.7 in conjunction with Article 31 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo.
