Initial investigation fails to begin against those accused of setting up barricades

The initial hearing for those accused of setting up barricades failed to take place due to the absence of one of the defense attorneys.

Judge Rrahman Beqiri announced that defendant Dushan Maksimovic was not brought to the hearing, as the court had been notified in advance that his lawyer, Mahmut Halimi, would not attend due to another hearing scheduled earlier in Mitrovica, in a detention case.

Defendant Nenad Orlović was also absent. According to the judge, the regular summons sent to him was returned with a note that he had moved. After issuing the restraining order, the Kosovo Police attempted to execute it on July 16, 2026, but the apartment was found locked, while neighbors reported that Orlović had moved to Serbia.

Beqiri said that after the previous lawyer revoked the authorization to defend Orllović, the Court had turned to the Chamber of Advocates to appoint an ex officio defense attorney. Upon the recommendation of the Chamber, attorney Donjeta Leka, who was present at the hearing, was appointed as defense attorney.

On the other hand, special prosecutor Admir Shala requested that the procedure against Nenad Orllović be separated, emphasizing that he had not even responded to the Prosecution's invitation.

"Considering that he has not even responded to the invitation to the Prosecutor's Office, the procedure against him should be separated, so that the process can continue with the other defendants," said Shala.

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However, Judge Beqiri found that, due to the absence of lawyer Mahmut Halimi, an absence which was justified, the legal conditions for holding the hearing were not met.

As a result, the initial hearing was postponed to another date, which is expected to be set by the Court.