Court of Appeals: Indictment confirmed against Svecla and three MPs for throwing tear gas

The Court of Appeals has upheld the indictment by the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pristina against Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, two MPs from the Self-Determination Movement, Salih Zyba and Fitore Pacolli-Dalipi, as well as Democratic League MP Drita Millaku, for throwing tear gas in the Kosovo Assembly in March 2018, and according to the law, if found guilty, they could face up to eight years in prison, as reported by Reporteri.

The court dismissed the defendants’ claims that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate reasonable suspicion. Following the confirmation of the indictment, the Basic Court in Pristina is expected to schedule a trial.

According to the indictment filed on July 29, 2019, Svecla, Millaku, Zyba, and Pacolli-Dalipi are accused of activating several tear gas canisters and throwing them into the Assembly chamber on March 21, 2018, at approximately 12:10 PM, during a plenary session, as reported by Oath for Justice.

As a result, all MPs were forced to leave the chamber, preventing the continuation of the session.

Each of them is specifically charged with the criminal offense of “Use of a Dangerous Weapon or Instrument,” which carries a penalty of one to eight years in prison.

Additionally, under another provision, each is charged with the criminal offense of “Obstruction of an Official in the Performance of Official Duties” for impeding the work of Kosovo Assembly MPs. This offense carries a penalty of three months to three years in prison.