Austrian Diplomat Starts Witnessing in The Hague

In Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( DESK) in The Hague has begun witness 68th of the Specialised Prosecutor's Office, Jan Kickert, which holds the W02144 code in the judicial process against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selmi and Jakup Krasniqi.

According to the summary read by prosecutor John Capin, this witness during 1997 until 1999 worked as Austrian diplomat in Kosovo and that he met with KLA leaders, including the four indictees, reports “Justice Vow for”.

“From the end of 1997 until March 1999, Jan Kickert worked in Belgrade as Austrian diplomat. In early 1998, he has travelled to Kosovo in charge of meeting with party leaders, international and other members. Kicker's visits to Kosovo have become more frequent in the second part of 1998 after he was instructed to create a contact point with the KLA leadership to engage them in the political process. To achieve that goal, he has participated in several meetings with members of the General Staff; including Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi”, prosecutor Capin said.

Prosecutor Capin said the witness has attended a meeting to discuss the release of several Serbian soldiers.

“in July 1998, Kickert met with Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin and then separated with Jakup Krasniqi. In 1999, Kickert attended the meeting to negotiate the release of Serbian soldiers. Kickert was an observer during negotiations during and after the Rambouillet Peace Conference, interacting with the KLA leadership, including Hashim Thaci. In March 1999, Kickert attended a meeting to discuss the Rambouillet agreement with KLA leaders, including Rexhep Selimi, Jakup Krasniqi”, Capin said.

In 1999, he was told to be political adviser to UNMIK.

The Witness also claimed to have witnessed in the case of Fatmir Limaj. As a result of the hearing, two testimonys of the witness given earlier to the justice authorities were accepted in material evidence.

According to the chairman of the court, Charles Smith III, the testimony of this witness will take about eight and a half hours and that one of them is envisioned for SPS questions, while seven and a half for defence questions.

It is noteworthy that all the accused are present in the courtroom, except Jakup Krasniqi, who is present through video connection.

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.