Earth-dwelling: Appeal replaces house arrest for all defendants

Kosovo's Appeals Court has changed the security measure for defendants Naim Krasniqi, Mirlinda Blerta-Dibrani, Shaban Terbnja, Goran Lazic, Fadil Ismajli, Jovica Mitrovic and Bedri Dibrani regarding the achievement of the judicial agreement in a expropriation procedure had exceeded the deadline for submitting the proposal for more than 8 years, though they were compensated for expropriting their parcels.

The detention measure, which was appointed by the Constitutional Court in Pristina, has been suspended and replaced by house arrest that will last until 18 March 2026.

Under the decision of the Court of Appeals on February 2nd that Paparac has secured, the defendants must stay at home and cannot leave without the court's permission, except for emergencies.

They will be supervised by the Kosovo Police and obliged to respect any direction for movement.

This decision came after considering complaints by defendants' defenders, who argued the detention measure was excessive and there was no concrete risk of escape, influence in witnesses or repeat criminal acts.

The prosecution's investigation had uncovered a scheme built for more than two years, from February 2023 to December 18, 2025.

According to the acts, the State Treasury had “, named” 220 thousand euros in the account of lawyer Mirlinda Blerta-Dibrani, who then transferred 210 thousand euros to Fadil Ismajli.

The prosecution claims that this mechanism was deliberate and contrary to the Law on Exploration of the Realistic Property, exploiting lack of supervision and the expired legal deadlines for complaints by owners.

The Court of Appeals found there was suspicion based on their alleged actions for illegal financial gain, through a corruption mechanism involving expropriation procedures and the benefit of resources from the State Treasury.

However, due to the lack of immediate risk of destruction of evidence or influence in investigation, the college ruled that the softest measure of house arrest was enough to ensure the continuation of the process.

Investigations into this issue have been conducted for the period from February 2023 to December 18th 2025, and include all defendants as co-chairmen in actions aimed at illegal personal gain.

Investigations have included separate investigative measures, hidden audio and video monitoring, residential checks and detailed financial verifications, which have documented a coordinated scheme for illegal personal gain.

Former Prime Minister Fadil Ismajli and the judge of the Gracanica branch were in handcuffs in 18.12.2025, along with five other suspects in reaching the judicial agreement in a disparagement procedure, had exceeded the deadline for submitting the proposal for more than 8 years, though they were compensated for the transfer of their parcels.

The 210-euro scheme transferred to former minister Fadil Ismajli from his attorney, according to the prosecution, was divided among other suspects depending on their contribution to the case./Periscopi/