Tomorrow comes the judgment against Peter Shala

In the decision, by which the trial panel led by Mapie Veldt- Foglia has set 21 February as the starting date of the trial in Peter Shala's case has become known that the Specialised Prosecutor's Office and the protection of the victims have only two hours apart from available to present the opening statements.

Until, Peter Shala's defence, I will submit their opening statement after the prosecution and the defense of the victims are finished, reports the “Justice bet”.

In view of the principle of advertising procedures, the panel instructs the parties and the protection of victims to present their opening words to the extent possible at open session and rely on the visual tools and materials that the public can transmit. Where this is not possible, victims' parties and protection are directed to group arguments that will be made at private and/or closed together to increase the efficiency of procedures and avoid unnecessary movement between open and private or closed sessions. The above directives do not prejudge the safeguard clauses imposed on victims and witnesses and the right of the victims' parties and advocates to present their full arguments”, the decision said.

On the other hand, according to the decision, since the defence has chosen to issue a direct opening statement following SPS's opening words and the protection of the victims, it cannot make any further opening statements following the closure of the SPS issue and prior to the opening of its case.

The decision says it does not prevent protection from making concessions according to the rules.

And it has also been known that the latter has expressed the desire to make an oathless statement, in accordance with the 142 (1) rule of the Order.

Also, the court has assigned a network of hearings.

Considering that the only trial chamber available should be shared with the Panel (the rest) of the Specialised Chambers, the court has decided to start presenting the evidence on March 27, 2023, at 09:30.

The trial chamber will begin its first test block by March 31st, 2023.

The following “ • Monday, May 1, 2023, 09:30 p.m. until Friday, May 5, 2023; • Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 9:30 p.m. until Friday, June 9, 2023; and • Monday, June 26, 2023, 9:30 until Wednesday, June 28, 2023 and Friday, June 30, 2023, from 09:30 to Friday, July 7, 2023 148x1>, the decision is said.

According to the ruling, these dates may vary, depending on the availability of the courtroom. The upcoming sessions, however, will be communicated at the right time.

Otherwise, Shala was arrested on 16 March 2021 by Belgian authorities and transferred to The Hague on 15 April 2021, on a request for co-operation in implementing the warrant and the command for transfer issued by Kosovo's Specialised Chambers.

In the confirmed indictment, Shala is charged with individual criminal responsibility in various forms of war crimes as arbitrary bans, cruel treatment, torture and illegal murder committed in the context of the armed conflict in Kosovo and in connection with this conflict.

The “commands that Mr. Shala was carried out approximately between May 17th 1999 and June 5, 1999, against persons who were held in the metal factory in Kukes (Albania), allegedly used by the Kosovo Liberation Army”, it is said in the communique.

Note: The individuals mentioned in this article are considered innocent unless the court finds them guilty with decision of form.