The trial of Zoran Kostiq and Dragan Milović, accused of war crimes, did not take place today as the defense requested a postponement. The reason: the Serbian translation of the witness statement, scheduled to be heard today, was submitted only minutes before the session began, reports Ekonomia Online.
Defense attorney Predrag Milković stated that the defense could not proceed without adequate time to prepare a response.
“We are not ready because the translated statement of the witness was received 10 minutes ago. We do not accept that this session continues,” he said.
On the other hand, prosecutor Florie Shabani requested that the testimony proceed to avoid delaying the trial, suggesting that the witness be heard by the prosecution today and by the defense in a later session.
Milković opposed this, arguing that hearing the witness at this stage of the process was not appropriate.
After discussions, presiding judge Lutfi Shala decided to postpone the session, stating:
“We assess that today there are no conditions to continue this trial and time will be given to read the statement.”
The testimony of Naim Haliti was scheduled for today.
Kostiq and Milović are accused, as members of the Serbian police, acting together with police, military, and paramilitary units, of committing war crimes against the civilian population during the Kosovo conflict.
