Vladimir Gajic, lawyer for Nehat Thaci, police director of the Mitrovica south region, told BIRN that he expects his client to be released soon.

“We hope that this happens before October 28, since his court order for detention expires on that day. This means that on October 28, a decision will be made about his detainment,” said Gajic.

Thaci, who is suspected of expelling a Serbian family from their home in Lipjan in 1999, was arrested on September 28 close to the Kosovo-Serbia border in Dheu i Bardhe / Konculj by Serbian police on terrorism charges. On October 1, he was sent to Nis to appear in front of the High Court and sentenced with a 30-day detention measure.

Local Kosovo and Serbian media have reported that Thaci is expected to be released today, but Gajic said that he is not certain about the date of his release.

“He could be released today, he could have been released yesterday, he could be released tomorrow, but it is not illegal to detain him until the last day. So I cannot say what could happen,” said Gajic for BIRN.

He said that not only is there a chance that Thaci will be released from detainment – he may actually have his procedure suspended entirely.

“The situation is that, not only could he be released from detainment, but the criminal procedure, based on yesterday’s testimony of Milivojevic family alone, could be suspended entirely. [The family testified that they] don’t recognize him as the perpetrator, and based on this, the procedure can be legally suspended,” said Gajic.

Kosovo authorities threatened reciprocal measures, while the Kosovo assembly has approved a resolution abot Thaci’s arrest, asking for the European Union to intervene on behalf of the Kosovo police official..