One month detention for Jevtic, the suspect of espionage

The Basic Court in Pristina has sentenced police officer Bojan Jevtić to one month in detention for the criminal offense of espionage. 

After holding the hearing, the court assessed that the imposition of a pre-trial detention measure in this criminal case is an adequate measure because if the defendant is released, there is a risk of flight, he may evade criminal proceedings and that he will be elusive to the justice authorities, given that he is suspected of a criminal offense of very high risk.

The court also assessed that if the defendant is released, he may influence evidence and witnesses, and may repeat the same criminal offense or may commit other criminal offenses under the same or more serious circumstances, the court's announcement states. 

The prosecution requests detention, Jevtic's defense offers bail of 15 thousand euros

Lieutenant Bojan Jevtic is expected to be remanded in custody on Friday. He was sent to The Basic Court in Pristina where the hearing against him is being held.

Prosecutor Bekim Kodraliu said that sufficient evidence has been obtained to prove the suspicion that Jevtić committed the crime he is charged with.

"Confidential documents issued by the Kosovo Police have been seized that relate to the security and legal order of citizens. We have also found an unauthorized short weapon, a quantity of ammunition, and currency that we suspect he benefited from by committing the acts he is suspected of. There are 2 million Serbian dinars, 10 thousand euros, and 600 francs that the defendant has not been able to justify," he told the media.

Meanwhile, Jevtic's lawyer, Milosh Nikolic, said that his client was requested to be protected in freedom and that a guarantee of 15 thousand euros was offered to avoid detention. 

"Bojan Jevtic is a member of the Kosovo Police, he has been in service since 2002. He is currently being investigated for the criminal offense of espionage. What is important is that today we have presented the arguments in his favor regarding the request for pre-trial detention. This has to do with the fact that he will be accessible to the authorities until the end of the procedure and that he will respond to any summons. And for this purpose we have offered a guarantee in the amount of 15.000 euros. So, he will cooperate with the authorities. The decision on pre-trial detention has not yet been made. It will be made in two hours, which we will inform you about," said Nikolic.

He added that the defense considers a lighter security measure more appropriate.

"The measure of house arrest with police supervision. We think it is appropriate, because it is the beginning of the procedure, it can last a long time, there is no need for a detention order," he said.

Jevtić was arrested the day before, July 17, and was detained for 48 hours. The Special Prosecution Office announced that classified documents were found after a raid by the Kosovo Intelligence Agency and the Police Inspectorate in the home of the police officer who worked at the Dheu i Bardhë border crossing.

Jevtiqi held the position of chief of operations in the border police at the border crossing.

Five other people, in addition to Jevtic, are currently being held in custody for espionage.