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By:
Ardit Kika
- 28 January 2026 09:53
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The hearing where Bedri Shabani and Muharrem Qerimi, accused of espionage, are being tried, has been closed to the public.
The proposal to close the session came from Shabani's defense attorney, lawyer Besnik Berisha, who was also supported by Qerimi's lawyer, Betim Shala.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeProsecutor Bekim Kodraliu, meanwhile, said that there is no reason for the hearing to be closed in this criminal case since, according to him, the report found that Bedri Shabani does not have any psychological problems.
The panel of judges adjourned for a 5-minute break before issuing a decision on how the hearing should continue, and then approved the proposal to close the hearing to exclude the public from the hearing until the group of experts who compiled the psychiatric expertise is heard.
The presiding judge said that this is done in order to protect the family and personal life of the accused.
VIDEO:
Trial of Shabani and Qerimi for espionage, forensic psychiatry experts testify
Three forensic psychiatry experts have appeared before the Basic Court in Pristina where they will present their report on Bedri Shabani.
Shabani's defense requested a psychiatric examination and a postponement during the previous hearing.
This request was approved by Judge Rrahman Beqiri.
As Koha learns, the Institute of Forensic Psychiatry has concluded that Bedri Shabani can stand trial.
Such a finding was also made by the Gjilan prison doctor, Ngadhenjim Rexhepi, who is also a psychiatrist.
The hearings in this case have been postponed twice.
The first time on September 22, Bedri Shabani's lawyer, Besnik Berisha, had another, more urgent hearing.
The second time, on November 13, the accused Shabani asked the Basic Court in Pristina to postpone the hearing, since, as he said, he is in serious therapy and does not even know where he is.
Bedri Shabani's defense attorney, Besnik Berisha's lawyer, proposed that the hearing be closed. He said that this should be done in order to protect his client's dignity and privacy.