Safet Gashi begins testimony in the trial against Peter Shala

Questions for this witness have begun to present Shala's attorney, Jean-Louis Gilissen, at whose request the session went to private session, reports “Justice Vow”.

According to what the chairman of the court said, Mapie Veldt-Foglia witness had refused to have contact with Shala's defence, what his presence in the hall was defeated by the DrsK.

Unlike the beginning of the session, the Specialised Prosecutor's Office and the Protection of Victims made their statements regarding Shala's request for psychological visits.

The protection of the victims and SPS did not object that expert Vanessa Milazzo's report on Shala's mental health state be included in defence evidence.

During February 2023, judgment has begun on this occasion, where on February 21st the prosecution and the defense of the victims have submitted their opening statements, while on February 22nd they have heard Peter Shala's opening statements of defence as well as statements without his oath.

In March 2023 the presentation of the prosecution's evidence has begun, where 10 witnesses have been heard, and in August has begun presenting evidence from the defender of the victims where two witnesses have been heard.

Peter Shala was arrested on March 16, 2021, by Belgian authorities and transferred to The Hague on April 15, 2021, on the basis of a request for co-operation in implementing the warrant and order 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. /Betimy for Justice