In the absence of the acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, today’s court session for the tear gas case in the Assembly of Kosovo from 2018 was postponed to January 16, 2026. Sveçla justified his absence in writing.

Unlike Sveçla, who was absent, present were Vetëvendosje MPs Sali Zyba and Fitore Pacolli, as well as former MP Drita Millaku.

The presiding judge, Sabit Sadikaj, said that in the absence of Sveçla, the conditions for holding today’s session were not met.

He said that the acting Minister of Internal Affairs justified his absence in writing.

“The conditions for holding this session have not been met because Xhelal Sveçla is absent, for whom the court has issued an arrest warrant. However, through his administrative officer, he sent an email explaining his absence, while the other parties are present,” he said.

Afterward, the presiding judge warned that parties who miss the next session without a valid reason will face arrest warrants and requests for detention.

“Once the court receives the consent of the parties in the next session, the session will proceed with those who are present, and against any absent party, an arrest warrant and a request for detention will be issued,” he emphasized.

After the failure to hold this court session due to the absence of the acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, his lawyer, Laur Preni, stated that the reason for his client’s absence is an official trip.

He added that the court case against Sveçla and Vetëvendosje MPs Sali Zyba and Fitore Pacolli-Dalipi is not close to being time-barred and that the process is expected to continue within a reasonable timeframe.

“According to the information I have, the minister is on an official trip. I don’t know more... It’s not close to the statute of limitations. The defendants have been present several times, and in some cases even the prosecutor was absent, but we hope that within a reasonable time the trial will begin,” he stated.

During this court session, the accused Vetëvendosje MPs Sali Zyba and Fitore Pacolli were asked about their absence from the previous hearing.

Both said they had reasons for their absence and would submit them in writing to the court, noting they had work commitments.

“I had reasons due to work commitments and will submit them in writing,” he said.

MP Pacolli also said that in the previous session she was absent due to commitments.

“Yes, I had reasons, due to commitments, I’ll submit them in writing,” she said.

The Basic Court in Prishtina has issued an order for the compulsory appearance of the acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, as well as the Vetëvendosje MPs who did not appear.

The indictment against Sveçla, Pacolli-Dalipi, Zyba, and Millaku was filed on July 26, 2019.