Three witnesses will physically appear in court on trial of Peter Shala

According to the court, witnessing via video connection will enable witnesses to speak without anxiety.

The Court has estimated that this will improve the quality of their testimony.

“In the Peter Shala case on April 13th, the Judicial Chamber authorised the testimony of three witnesses via video connection. The Judicial Chamber found that existing technology allows witnesses to be questioned under the same conditions as in the courtroom and will enable these witnesses to testify without anxiety, which will improve the quality of their testimony and will benefit their physical and psychological well-being”, said Michael Doyle, spokesman of the Special Chambers.

On 14 April, the Special Prosecutor's Office(ZPS) submitted the edited public version of its preliminary file.

The Judge's “Body ordered the Administrative Office to make the necessary preparations to ensure the respect of safeguard clauses for witnesses”, Doyle said.

In the trial against Peter Shala so far four SPS witnesses have been heard, whose identity has not been disclosed to the public.

Witnesses have claimed that their family family had been kidnapped and held for nearly two weeks in a metal factory in Kukes.

In all of this, they have said that Peter Shala, currently located at the dock of the accused, was involved.

He has been staying at The Hague since March 2021.

According to Special “The crimes Mr. Shala carried out approximately between May 17, 1999, and June 5, 1999, against persons who were held in the metal factory at Kukes Albania, allegedly used by the Kosovo Liberation Army”.

Peter Shala was arrested on March 16th 2021 by Belgian authorities and transferred to The Hague on April 15th that year, on the basis of a requirement for co-operation in implementing the warrant and order for transfer issued by Kosovo's Specialised Chambers.