Ministry of Justice: We only pay a Thaci lawyer, for others we don't take responsibility

Gregory Kehoe, Joe Reader, Greenberg Legal Associates and the members of this company have demanded that they withdraw from defence Hashim Thaci in his case at the Special Court.

That is because they broke their covenants.

The news has been made known through a media communique by Kosovo's Specialised Chambers.

Regarding this information, the Ministry of Justice has reacted, which through a message published on Facebook, says in part that since 2020 so far, the ministry has paid over 3m euros for Thaci's defence.

This minister, says that “for other potential lawyers, even private, the minister has no agreement and does not bear responsibility for the payments.

While for other potential lawyers, even private, who are engaged by Mr. Thaci, the Ministry of Justice, has no agreements and does not hold responsibility for the realisation of payments”, Periscopi says in this statement, submits.

(full announcement) 

“The Ministry of Justice through this announcement wants to inform the general public and clarify the news about the fees of lawyers of persons who are accused by Kosovo's Specialised Chambers.

In line with the Number 08/2022 Administrative Guide for the Jurydic Protection of Accused Individuals for Prescribed Crime at Judicial Processes near Specialised Chambers, the Justice Ministry has linked agreements for representation with relevant attorneys of accused persons in this case, with the protection of Mr. Hashim Thaci, of which case, is reportedly withdrawing the defence due to no pay realism.

In line with such Guidance and Agreement (legislation in force), the Ministry of Justice has carried out all obligations regarding Mr. Hashim Thaci. Furthermore, only for 2023 has the Ministry of Justice realised the payment for Mr. Hashim Thaci in the amount of 1,371800.00 Euro.

Paying Mr. Hashim Thaci has been realised for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

In 2020, payment was made of 83,107.41 Euro1, in 2021 a payment of 1,114,901,000 Euro, in 2022, payment was paid in the amount of 996,600,000 Euro, and in 2023, payment paid in the amount of 1,371,800,000.

For all the years, the amount of payment for Mr. Hashim Thaci, is 3,566,401.41 Euro.

For clarification further, the Justice Ministry only receives payments with the lawyers with whom there is agreement, in line with legislation in effect.

Currently, the Justice Ministry has agreements with Hashim Thaci's defence lawyer, Luka Misetic, who, in line with the Agreement, fulfils all payments on time.

And for other potential lawyers, even private, who are engaged by Mr. Thaci, the Ministry of Justice, has no agreements and has no responsibility for making payments.

So, the Ministry of Justice, in line with such guidelines and legislation in force, has over time implemented all payments and obligations for protecting Mr. Hashim Thaci”, said the Justice Ministry's announcement.

What happened?

President Thaci's lawyers warned of his withdrawal from the defence.

The news has been made known through a media communique by Kosovo's Specialised Chambers.

“Z. Thaci has not met the obligation to Gregory Kehoe, Joe Reader, the Greenbourg Legal Association and members of the support team and Mr. Thaci has been given a reasonable warning that they would seek the outcome if they have not been met with the” obligation, the Special Chambers announced.

Also included in the report is Thaci's official defence request, until it is said that, under the regulation, when the other defence group is appointed, preliminary lawyers should continue co-operating “in a period of no more than 45 days”, the Albanian Post reported today.

On January 29th, the justice ministry through an Administrative Guide has said it is aiming to change the legal protection fee for the accused at The Hague.

It envisions increased values, but that for lawyers it's not enough, because of inflation./Periscopi

Thaci lawyers' withdrawal warned, complain of default