57 witness launches testimony in The Hague, hearing under way

In Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( DPSK) in The Hague is continuing witness Ramiz Curriqi in the trial of Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.

At the beginning of the session, the question of the witness is setting forth Jakup Krasniqi's defence through lawyer Aiden Ellis.

During his responses, the witness said he had only seen Jakup Krasniqi in Kromir -- the area in which he himself led to the 2nd Battalion of Brigade 121, reports “Justice Vowing”.

I've seen more days than I've seen. Because the soldiers asked him they didn't have permission until they saw who he was, I explained. I don't remember another day. It could have been if I saw”, the witness said.

After that, the witness was also questioned by prosecutor Sylvia D'Assel, who focused on certain orders allegedly issued by the General Staff. KLA for the brigade commander.

The Witness said he had never seen these orders, but when he introduced Fatmir Limat to the soldiers, he said he thought he was saying it himself.

“Based on the document did not say it itself, but has received orders. I didn't believe then. I think he's saying it himself”, the witness said.

After the prosecution, questions about the witness were also posed by Christoph Barthe. He asked the witness why the LPK members have taken leadership positions in the war.

These guys are leading the war. They organized the entrance into the war. They beat us into it. I don't know how to explain it any better”, the government witness responded.

And for himself, he said he was just volunteering.

I've been volunteering since I was in Germany. I've been at the information gathering for you. KLA, but I wasn't a member (LPK)”, he said.

For Hashim Thaci, Ramiz Qariqi said he did not know his post, but that he later realized he was a political staff in the General Staff.

We don't know their position. But then we realized that he was political in the General Staff and he was in Rambouillet. We don't have the exact position at that time, but we understand the war measure. For Azem Syla, we have days since he was commander of the General Staff”, the witness said.

Asked whether he had seen Thaci give orders or instructions to KLA members, the witness denied it.

No, no. Please, no. Except when he was in Cromir. I have no part of either the General Staff or the area except for the” Brigade, Qariqi said.

While, for casual meetings with Thaci, Curriqi said there were only civilian clothes, but that were not meetings.

“She has attended meetings, but she has been in random meetings once since she came to Cromir. For these occasions, not at the meeting”, he said, adding that he does not remember exactly what he was wearing in Cromir.

On what it bases the description that Selimi was the main man in the KLA during the March-April 1998 period, the witness said that from the instruction he had given Azem Syla.

“Azem Syla pointed right at Rexhep Selimi. We, we went there. I realized that I've received guidance from Azem Syla to Rexhep Selimi and then we split up where they called us, so I've known it was 1st. I'm headed straight on the basis of what's headed for me, Azem Syla at Rexhep Selimi. I've known he's a leader who led me to Raj since he broke us up. I don't have a day's position”, the witness said.

While, for Jakup Krasniqi and Fatmir Limaj, he said their role has been understood through what had been made public in the media.

Between the media, through the public when they're out talking. When others have spoken and through the media, I don't have a date. (For Fatmir Limaj) As a member of the General Staff, the other I did not hear. I don't know about position, I just don't know... I said he's in a position higher than me. I've been reporting to him and he told me that he told me and me in Likoc”, Qeriki said, adding that when he talked about Licoci was an institution and not individuals.

For Kadri Veselin, the witness said he met only once in Kromir during the May-June 1998 period, and together they have created defensive positions against Serb forces.

It's just been visiting then, Kadria and I'm here to make your positions, find them, help me where I can make my positions. We have talked and we have decided and mentioned that we have succeeded from those” positions, he said, adding that wessel was then spoken to as a member of the General Staff.

For later, Ramiz Qariqi said he thought Kadri Veseli was in the KLA intelligence service.

We've been in the information service since later. At that time, not that I have days... Like I said here, after the war I thought he was in that position. At that time, I don't have a day”, the witness said.

Returning to Jakup Krasniqi and Fatmir Limaj, the witness said he gave a “Mercedes” at the end of 1998 to make good impressions when they go public.

I don't know exactly what 98 is. It could be September-tator. This car was given to me by a citizen of the village of Caraleva, retired. At the time it wasn't my personal to give in the name of war. They could have taken the squirrel without asking me without orders. It was a good car back then. I told him it was a gift from a fellow citizen, said he.

According to him, from the media it has realised that Jakup Krasniqi's position has been like the spokesperson of KLA in the General Staff.

When they go public in the media, I understand. For Jakup, I know the spokesman has been, for Fatmir, that I never have a day's position. Only those public that I don't know any more”, the witness said, adding that there is no knowledge whether there is any other position including the position of Commander-in-chief”, he said.

Otherwise, the witness has begun witnessing on Monday, April 22nd, where, according to the prosecution, he was commander of the second battalion at 121 in the Pacific Zone, the Justice Vow reports.

It is noteworthy that during the broadcast, there have been ongoing technical problems during the morning.

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.

In addition to this witness, Ramiz Qrerici, who during wartime, was commander of the 2nd Battalion of 121nd Brigade in the Pacific Zone. He has talked about contacts he had with the accused, their positions and the functioning of the KLA. However, Thaci's defence, through lawyer Luka Misetic, has told him that he is suspected in this court process.

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.