Half a million euros paid for Thaci and others' lawyers in The Hague

The commission, which operates within the Justice Ministry, has approved requests for the four defendants' defence lawyers and has made payments for them worth 464,600,000 euros.

“Covering the expenses for legal and financial protection is done under relevant legislation in force and that these rights are applicable to all persons charged with potential in the related processes and procedures, for alleged crimes near the Specialised Chambers, regardless of who is subject to the procedure near the Special Chambers”, is said in a written response by the Justice Ministry's Media Office.

The ministry has said it has so far rejected any requests from the accused's family for any payment.

“due to anti measures - CO VID to Europe, respectively in the Netherlands Kingdom, the measures are rigorous and no visits are allowed to detention centres”, the ministry says.

The Justice Ministry has not detailed how much money a lawyer has been paid.

On the other hand, the ombudsman, Naim Qelaj, said the justice ministry should be transparent about how much money is spent and whose payments are paid.

There's no dilemma here. Any spending from public money should be transparent and public. There's nothing to hide. No doubt I consider it mandatory for the institutions to make public the spending from state money”, Qeyaj said.

Lawyer Celaj said that only in certain cases by law cannot publicise state money spending.

“I believe this is not one of those cases where that data” cannot be made public, said Qeyle.

Even at the Kosovo Institute for Justice, they say the laws applied in Kosovo do not allow fees for lawyers to be secretive.

According to this institute, this process should be transparent and ensure that all accused are treated equally.

The way the lawyers have been paid so far, according to the IKD severely violates the principles of transparency, accountability and the opportunity to treat the accused fairly, equal and under the same conditions.

With the Justice Ministry's administrative directive of July 24, 2020, it is determined that financial coverage of lawyers is done on the basis of tariffs imposed by the Kosovo Lawyers' Oda; lawyers' fees in the Netherlands; state fees from which the defenders and fees for legal protection of the person charged with potential of the specialised Chambers.

The Ministry of Justice has indicated that the budget for financial support for potential accused persons is determined by law, where 17m euros worth of tools are envisioned. Under the Law, any charged with potential from the Specialised Chambers has the right to financial assistance and coverage of defence spending.