The defense of Dušan Maksimović requested that witness Dragana Antonijević testify in person, sparking debate during today’s court session in the Banjska Terrorism case.
Defense attorney Jovana Filipović emphasized that Antonijević has not yet been heard during the trial, and that only her written statement had been read in court. “She has not been heard in the trial; only her statement has been read,” the defense stated, Rks News reports.
On the other hand, attorney Arianit Koci, representing the family of slain police officer Afrim Bunjaku, noted that there is a court ruling ensuring the rights of the defense, and warned that the matter has already been settled by a prior decision.
“There is a judicial decision that guarantees the conditions for the defense of the accused; otherwise, we already have a ruling on this issue,” he said.
Special prosecutor Naim Abazi opposed the request to bring the witness to court, explaining that Dragana Antonijević gave her statement on May 16, 2024, and the previous judicial panel made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to contact her. According to him, she did not respond to court summonses and is currently living in Serbia, having left Kosovo.
Abazi clarified that Antonijević testified regarding the events of the critical day, September 24, 2023, when she was employed at the Rajnska Banjska Hotel. Her statement was read in court, and the trial continued with the examination of other witnesses.
“I do not see it as reasonable to bring this witness to court, as we have no notification that she has returned to the territory of the Republic of Kosovo,” the prosecutor stated.
Nevertheless, Judge Ngadhnim Arrni, presiding over the panel, announced that despite all statements being read and the witness’s absence, another effort will be made to contact her in the interest of the defense.
Meanwhile, Maksimović’s defense requested that 10 additional new witnesses be heard in relation to the case. The prosecution, however, rejected this request.
