Peter Shala's Jail Continued

The decision was made on March 18th 2024 by the chairman of the court, Mapie Veldt-Foglia.

“Panelli through this: a. U n SINCE the detention of the accused; b. U n SERVANT SPS and the lawyer of the victims, if you would like, to present parameters for the trial's upcoming detention review no later than Friday, May 3, 2024; c. U n VIEW the defense to present parachutes for the trial's next detention review, if you wish, no later than Friday, May 10, 2024; and d. V THE answers, if the SPS and the victims' lawyer want, will be handed over no later than Tuesday, May 14, 2024”, the verdict says.

In reasoning on this decision, the panel has reportedly found there is danger of obstructing the procedures process near TSF, as well as the risk of committing further crimes by the accused.

While in terms of being released to house arrest, which was a request to protect the accused, the panel has found that effective monitoring of his communications can not be provided in that way.

According to them, this is possible only at the detention facility in TrsK.

“In this direction, the panel recalls its earlier considerations regarding parole, including its assessment of alternative conditions proposed by defence. In particular, in view of the risk factors identified above, the panel considers that the conditions proposed by the defence, including the arrest of the accused at his residence in Belgium: (i) do not address the possibility of the accused using communication devices belonging to others or by asking others to use their equipment for these purposes; and (i) it cannot provide effective monitoring of the accused's communications. On the contrary, guarantees and such measures are possible only at DPSC's” detention sites, the decision said.

Otherwise, during February 2023 the trial 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 defense 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.

Meanwhile, hearings for the parties' closing statements on the issue are scheduled for April.

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