Lazic: Charges against Radulovic based on messages; I doubt a judge will refrain from ordering detention

A hearing to determine pre-trial detention for Stefan Radulovic from North Mitrovica was held today before the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina. The prosecution suspects him of involvement in the events in Banjska in September 2023. Defense lawyer Bogdan Lazic stated that Radulovic is suspected of criminal offenses “against the constitutional order and security of Kosovo” and “association for the purpose of committing terrorism.”

“The Special Prosecution bases its suspicion that Stefan Radulovic, on the basis of messages extracted from the phone of one of the suspects in the Banjska case, was their associate and participated in the commission of the criminal offense of terrorism in Banjska. He is charged with association for the purpose of terrorism and a serious criminal offense against the constitutional order and security of Kosovo,” Lazic said.

He noted that the suspicion is based exclusively on messages in which his name is mentioned and possibly a single photograph.

“This does not prove that it is the same person; it only deepens suspicion. He has never previously been prosecuted nor committed any criminal offense,” Lazic added.

The lawyer emphasized that Radulovic is a law-abiding citizen of North Mitrovica.

“He is a respectable citizen of Mitrovica who lives between Mitrovica, Nis, and Raska. He is currently in Raska with his girlfriend, while his extended family resides in Mitrovica,” the attorney said.

Lazic stated that the court will decide within the legal deadline whether to grant or reject the prosecutor’s request.

“We are awaiting the decision, and if the request is granted, the defense has the right to appeal, which we will exercise. I doubt it will be otherwise. I doubt that any judge today will dare to impose a more lenient measure,” he said.
Stefan Radulovic was arrested yesterday at the Merdare crossing.

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla reacted to the arrest.

“Terrorists have no place in our country and will not be able to evade responsibility indefinitely. Today, another suspected terrorist, Stefan Radulovic, was arrested in connection with the terrorist attack in Banjska near Zvecan, with the aim of annexing the north,” Sveçla wrote on Facebook.