Special: KLA leaders not divided, will be tried together at The Hague

Former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Rexhep Selimi, Jakup Krasniqi and Sali Mustaf are being held in custody near Kosovo's Specialised Chambers in The Hague.

These were arrested after the order of the Special Prosecutor with suspicion of war crimes and crimes against people.

The Act against them was confirmed on October 26, 2020, as it became public on November 5th the same year.

But the trial against them has not yet begun. Of a date when judgment may begin against the accused is unknown. Since according to Specialised Chambers, the process is in the pretrial phase.

“In the prosecutorial case against Thaci and others the judge of the preliminary procedure has yet to decide when the subject will be transferred to the juro. The case is currently in the pretrial phase. During this phase, the Pre-Procedure Procedure Judge holds hearings, as needed, for preparing procedures and decides on the initial challenges posed by the accused (referred as preliminary motions). The Special Prosecutor must share with Protection the evidence supporting the prosecution and statements of all witnesses the Special Prosecutor intends to call to trial, as well as the documents and evidence he intends to submit to trial. Likewise, the Defense should share a list of witnesses and any evidence they intend to use. This process is called discovery. In recent public hearings, the Defense and Prosecutor Special have discussed when this process can be completed. It is up to the judge of the preliminary procedure to decide, based on the arguments of the parties, when Pre-Procedure Files” will be presented.

When preparations are complete, the pre-procedure judge will transfer the case file to a three-judge jury and a reserve judge appointed by the president. Only then will the pre-trial phase be completed and the Trial Stage will begin. The date for broadcasting paperwork to the Judicial Chamber and date for the trial's beginning has not been set. The trial will be a joint trial”, the Specialised Chambers for Express have said.

While at the Kosovo Institute for Justice, they are saying judges and the protection of the accused should do their best to start these judgments as soon as possible.

But even though the date is not known when the accused will appear before judges the Specialised Chambers suggest there will be a joint trial for Thaci and others.

Finally, the Specialised Chambers of the Specialised Prosecutor's Office have announced that the trial process against Sali Mustaf will begin on September 15th.

Meanwhile, from July 15th, seven indictees to The Hague are allowed visits by their family members.