Today, the presiding judge in Pristina District Court ordered Kosovo Police to accompany A.K. to the court. A.k. did not show up at today’s hearing despite the summons and the legal lapse of time. The judge’s order is mandatory according to the article 341 of the Kosovo Code of Criminal Procedure. This Article states that if a duly summoned accused fails to appear at the main trial without justifying his or her absence, the presiding judge shall issue an order for bringing the accused to the court.

The presence of the defendant is compulsory, as the first and foremost form of procedural guarantee for the defendant himself.

The trial is adjourned until 12.30 today.