Miljkovic: I believe that the court will grant release to Milenkovic pending trial

Milenkovic's lawyer, Predrag Miljkovic, announced that before the commencement of the hearing, he proposed to the court that Milenkovic's detention be replaced with house arrest with bail, stating that there was no reason why the Court of Appeals would not accept that proposal, and he was optimistic.

Miljkovic stated that the defense had left it to the court and the prosecution to determine the amount by which Milenkovic would be granted release pending trial.

"The preparatory hearing today has concluded. As Milun Milenkovic's defense, I submitted a detailed proposal to the court regarding bail before the hearing started. We offered a slightly higher amount, leaving it to the prosecution and the court to determine the necessary amount for the proposal to be accepted. Milenkovic declared today that he was not guilty. As the defense, we have a 30-day deadline to object to the indictment and evidence. I emphasize that he is the only one defending himself from detention in this case, and we believe it is fair for the bail proposal to be accepted so that he can present his defense freely," Miljkovic said.

He added that Milenkovic had no reason to flee.

"I am optimistic, and I believe it is the right thing to grant him release pending trial. The best example is the other co-defendants who are defending themselves freely and responding to the court's summons. Milenkovic has no reason to flee," Miljkovic emphasized.

Dejan Pantic's defense lawyer, Ljubomir Pantovic, pointed out that the prosecution had not proposed any witnesses to confirm the allegations from the indictment and announced that they would use the one-month deadline to object to the evidence and the indictment.

"Our first impression is that the indictment is not supported by evidence. Interestingly, the prosecution did not propose any witnesses to confirm the allegations in the indictment, and it was not even suggested to hear the defendants at the main trial, which is very unusual. We will exercise the right to object to the indictment and evidence, and after that, the main trial awaits us," Pantovic stated.