The specialist allows KLA leaders to step out of the cell where they are held alone for New Year's

The Special Court, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity, will enable former KLA political and military leaders to celebrate the New Year. That's what it said about Express on Thursday, the institution's information official, Angela Greep.

“due to privacy, we cannot comment on any specific activities the detainees undertake at the detention institution. In general, the Specialised Chambers Pre-Failment Unit ensures the well-being of prisoners in a safe and secure environment. The detainees will certainly be provided opportunity to celebrate the New Year in accordance with the detention institution's regulations and regulations”, Greep said.

The extra motivation to celebrate will be the birthday of former KLA spokeswoman and former Kosovo Prime Minister Jakup Krasniqi, who will have the 70th anniversary of his birth.

Special Court enables former KLA leaders to celebrate in custody tonight

The most important figures of the Kosovo Liberation Army are being held in the custody of the Special Court in The Hague in the Netherlands. Those who led the struggle for freedom and independence will be able to gather tonight to celebrate the change of year, leaving their cells alone for a few minutes.

The Special Court, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity, will enable former KLA political and military leaders to celebrate the New Year. That's what it said about Express on Thursday, the institution's information official, Angela Greep.

“due to privacy, we cannot comment on any specific activities the detainees undertake at the detention institution. In general, the Specialised Chambers Pre-Failment Unit ensures the well-being of prisoners in a safe and secure environment. The detainees will certainly be provided opportunity to celebrate the New Year in accordance with the detention institution's regulations and regulations”, Greep said.

The extra motivation to celebrate will be the birthday of former KLA spokeswoman and former Kosovo Prime Minister Jakup Krasniqi, who will have the 70th anniversary of his birth.

The first seven special indictees, five of whom have confirmed charges, are still being held in custody, as almost every one has been denied requests to defend himself in freedom.

Former superior of The KLA, Salih Mustafa, was the first of former KLA members to be arrested and transferred to Special Court custody on 24 September. He is accused of a series of acts described as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Two days later the two former KLA OVL leaders, Chairman Hysni Gucati and the deputy chairman of this organisation, Nasim Haradinaj, were also arrested. Although there is still no accusation about them, they are accused of obstruction in the administration of justice, fear of witnesses, revenge, and violation of the secret procedure.

The last ones to be arrested and sent to The Hague are the four former political and military leaders of the KLA, former President Hashim Thaci, former leaders Kadri Veselin and Jakup Krasniqi, as well as the head of the Vetevendosje Movement Parliamentary Group (LVV), Rexhep Selimi.

On November 4th, former spokeswoman KLA, Jakup Krasniqi was arrested and sent to special custody. To the same destination, on a military plane, former war associates Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini and Rexhep Selimi left the following day.

The arrests came after a Special Court preliminary procedure judge had confirmed the charges against four former KLA leaders. They are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The incident holds Thaci, Veselin, Krasniqi and Selimi responsible for a series of crimes allegedly committed at several detention centres during 1998-1999. The specialized prosecutor accuses them of being or should be aware of such crimes.

On August 3rd 2015, by majority of votes, Kosovo Assembly deputies had voted the constitutional changes that would enable the establishment of specialised rooms known as the Special Court. After a long session, 82 deputies had voted for the establishment of the Special Court, five had opposed, while one had abstained.