Two More Months of Prison for Krasniqi and Selimi

Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( DPSK) in The Hague has made decisions on continuing the detention move for another two months against two indictees, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.

Through two separate decisions, on November 13, 2024, the chairman of the court, Charles Smith III, has continued this measure, reports the “Justice Vow “.

In reasoning with these decisions, there is reportedly not enough information that can be concluded for the two accused to flee from justice. However, the panel of judges has found that the danger exists that they can prevent the DPSK procedures and commit other crimes against those perceived as KLA opponents, including the impact on witnesses.

While, as far as alternative measures are concerned, the Specialised Prosecutor's Office had argued that no measure sufficiently eases the respective risks and that they can be managed best only in the detention facility.

In contrast, Selimi's and Krasniqi's defence has not responded to SPS's statements.

As a result, after all relevant circumstances have been considered, the panel of judges has continued the detention measure for the two accused.

“in the light of the above, as well as the fact that there are continued risks of obstructing procedures and committing other crimes, which cannot be sufficiently tamed by reasonable alternative measures, the panel finds that Mr. Selimi for a further two-month period is needed and reasonable in the specific circumstances of this case”, says the decision on continuing the detention measure against Selimi, as well as in that against Krasniqi.

Otherwise, the Specialised Prosecutor's Office, on September 30th, 2022, has handed over the confirmed amended indictment against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, which consists of ten points of charges, where the latter are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

On April 29th 2022, the Specialised Prosecutor's Office had handed over a amended indictment to Hashim Thaci, Kadri Wessel, Rexhepi and Jakup Krasniqi, where four indictees have committed war crimes even in Gjilan, Budakov and Semtish.

On November 9th 2020, in their first appearances, Hashim Thaci's Jakup Krasniqi has been declared innocent of the charges placed on them. Wessel has also been declared in his presentation on November 10th, as has Rexhep Selimi on November 11th.

The incident against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi is confirmed on October 26, 2020.