Lawyer Arsic: The 30-day detention measure for Tomislav Pantic is an inhumane decision

Tomislav Pantic from Istok, who was arrested on suspicion of committing a war crime, has been placed in 30-day detention, confirmed his defense attorney, Vasilije Arsic, to Kosovo Online, stressing that such a decision is inhumane.

"I believe the 30-day detention measure is extremely inhumane on the part of the judges because the man is in very poor health, has great difficulty moving, and I received information that he is refusing food and is practically incapable of living independently in prison," Arsic said.

He added that the defense insisted on house arrest, offering a bail of 15,000 euros; however, the court did not consider these arguments, only the arguments of the prosecution.

"The position was that detention was necessary, which was pre-agreed between the judges and prosecutors. The defense is very limited in this regard, not just for Pantic but for everyone detained and charged with alleged war crimes," the lawyer stated.

He also noted that the charges against Pantic, specifically "some alleged cattle theft in Istok in 1999," are absurd.

"In 1999, when people left their homes, they also left their livestock behind, so perhaps someone was involved in gathering that livestock, not stealing it. The prosecution's qualification is therefore biased. People who seized property accused him of participating in this theft, which is nonsensical; from being a victim, he is turned into a criminal," he added.