Court sets September 2 for verdict in Xhelal Sveçla case

The trial of Xhelal Sveçla in the case involving the use of tear gas in Parliament has concluded, and the court’s decision will be made public on September 2.

In its closing statement, the Prosecution requested that Sveçla be found guilty and punished in accordance with the law. In support of its request, it presented evidence and testimony which, it said, proved that the criminal offense had been committed.

Prosecutor Avni Namani said that a CD admitted as material evidence, containing a recording of the parliamentary session, shows Sveçla activating a tear-gas canister and throwing it into the plenary hall.

Namani said that after the gas spread, those present left the hall. The Prosecution also referred to a photo album prepared by police officers, which, it said, shows tear-gas canisters found in the plenary hall, both activated and unactivated.

According to the prosecution, the crime-scene report contains a total of 18 pieces of material evidence, most of them tear-gas canisters.

The defense, meanwhile, requested that Sveçla be acquitted, arguing that it had not been proven that he committed the criminal offense for which he is on trial.

Attorney Luar Prenaj said that the conclusions of the expert examination do not correspond with his client’s actions. He added that the video footage also does not show the symptoms described in the indictment among the deputies present.

In his final statement, Sveçla said that the action for which he is standing trial was part of a political activity aimed at opposing and preventing the ratification of the demarcation agreement with Montenegro.

“How is it possible that no one is held accountable for the loss of territory, but criminal responsibility is sought for preventing it?” Sveçla said. He said that the territory which, according to him, should have been defended is no longer part of Kosovo’s territory.

After hearing the final positions, the presiding judge, Sabit Sadikaj, closed the trial. The verdict will be announced on September 2.

During the hearing on April 10, 2026, Sveçla pleaded not guilty to the criminal offense attributed to him.