Judge Maselot says Thaci must continue in custody

Judge Major Maselot at the end of the first hearing gave the oral order for detention.

“Taking into account the statements of the parties, I decide that Mr. Thaci should continue to remain in custody. The following reasons for the detention are the same ones I have defined in my decision on the warrants and related cases, namely expressed in paragraphs 43, 45, and 55”, she said.

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci asked the Specialised Chambers in The Hague to respect the Constitution and Kosovo laws because according to him, they are the product of the Republic of Kosovo. Thaci said so after the new indictment was read at the session launched at The Hague today.

He further said that during these four years he is facing another judicial process he has faced with misinterpreting assessments of Kosovo's history.

The current four-year-old “faces another judicial process and we have heard misinterpreting assessments of political and national history for Kosovo's freedom, state and independence, at least from 1980 to today. It's a volume process”, Thaci said.

He stressed that he expects justice and believes in justice in the process he is facing, and on the other hand, he stresses that he poses no political danger to anyone.

Kosovo society, my family and I look forward to ending this process, expect justice and believe in justice. I was informed of the new charge three days ago. I know that Kosovo is on the verge of electoral elections, but I am not part of the electoral race, I do not present political risks to anyone. That's why I demand today, of all to respect the Constitution and the laws of Kosovo, because the Specialised Chambers are the product of the Republic of Kosovo” said Thaci.

He was not declared on the new charges.

Because of other commitments, I have not been able to discuss essentially the document confirmed by you, so I will be declared on time within the regular constitutional and legal deadline”, Thaci said.