Salih Mustafa is not declared at all before The Hague court

Former Kosovo Liberation Army member Salih Mustafa has chosen not to give an oath-free statement at the end of the judicial process, nor to answer court questions. This was made known at today's hearing by the head of the court disgrace Mapie Veldt-Foglia, who has said they had planned questions about Mustafa concerning the events of April 1999.

Although he had initially expressed willingness to speak before the court, Mustafa through his defense had announced that he would not do so.

“Based on protocol prognosis number 410, which unfortunately has been done less than 24 hours before today's session, defence has informed that Mr. Mustafa has reconsidered his position and will not issue an unannounced statement and will not answer questions of the court shame. Consequently, declarations without oath under the 142 regulation arrangement and corresponding proceedings will not be carried out”, the chairman of the court said.

The judge has said that the court had planned questions for Mustafa concerning the events of April 1999.

Mr. Mustafa, the reason why the court wanted to ask you questions was among other things to try to clarify what happened in April 1999 and what was your role, if you had a role, within the confirmed indictment. The questions the court would have asked should have been viewed from this standpoint”, she said.

On the other hand, the hearing has continued closed to the public while the head of the court issued an order.

In this session, the defence of Salih Mustafa, lawyer Julius Von Bone, has said they will close the case until May 26, 2022.

“On 99% on the 26 (May) we will close our course view”, Von Bone said.

The court has also ordered the Specialised Prosecutor's Office until May 24th to file a request against evidence if they intend to do so.

The next session of Salih Mustaf is expected to be held early in June.

In this trial, 13 witnesses of the Specialised Prosecutor's Office have been heard, many of them protected and in closed or edited sessions.

And Salih Mustafa's defense has presented 15 witnesses.

At the beginning of this process, Salih Mustafa, who faces charges of alleged war crimes, was declared innocent before the court.

According to the Specialised Chambers “The confirmed indictment stipulates that approximately between April 1st 1999 and April 19, 1999, at a detention complex in Zlatko, Kosovo, arbitrary detention crimes, cruel treatment and torture against at least six persons” were committed. Also, in the indictment it is said that “in a date between April 19, 1999, or about this date, and about the end of April 1999, a banned “was killed at that location.

Salih Mustafa is staying in custody at The Hague from September 24, 2020, when he was arrested