Special Administrator Rexhep Selimi, Jakup Krasniqi

This was made known by DPS spokesman Michael Doyle during the week's conference, where updated information on the work of this court is provided, reports “Justice Vow”.

Doyle said the decision was made on May 15th, in which the Judicial Chamber has concluded that there is still a danger of obstructing the performance of the process or performing other criminal acts.

“... On May 15th, in separate decisions for everyone, the Judicial Chamber ordered the continuation of Rexhep Selimi's and Jakup Krasniqi's detention, arguing that the risk continues for the two accused to prevent the performance of the process or to commit other criminal acts against those perceived to be opposed. The KLA, including witnesses who have given or may testify in this case and/or are expected to appear before Kosovo's Specialised Chambers. The judges also found that the communications of the accused could be limited in a way that significantly reduces these risks only through implementation of the framework for monitoring communications used in the detention facility of Special Chambers”, Doyle said.

He also said that in this court case, in which he was charged apart from Selimi and Krasniqi, Hashim Thaci and Kadi Wessel are also approved, the prosecution's request for a witness to give a video witness.

“In the Thaci court case and others on May 10th, the Judicial Chamber partially approved a defence requirement for extending the deadline for the prosecution's request to include additional materials on the list of material evidence. Materials in question concern witnesses whose prosecution intends to call for testimony in June and July of this year. On May 14th, the Judicial Chamber in the Thaci court case and others approved a request by the Prosecutor for a witness to give a witness via video conference, stressing the risks to security and other factors that the prosecution established. The judges also changed the scheduled dates for witness testimony from May 27th and 28th”, he said, adding that the upcoming hearing in this court case is scheduled on Tuesday on May 21st starting at 09:00 and that it will always be late on 45 minutes.

Moving to another court case, Doyle said the administration has announced the court of preliminary procedure regarding Dr. Felicity Gary as protector of Ismet Bahtiri and Toby Cadman as the protector of the saddle.

“In the case of Sabit Januzi, Ismet Bahitari and Haxhi Shala, on 13 May and 14 May, the administration announced the Pre-Procedure Procedure Court in connection with Dr. Felicity Gary, as protector of Ismet Bahitari and Mr. Tobi Kadman as advocate of Haxhi Shala, after receiving requests from both defenders for legal assistance under the DHSK's Juridical Assistance Rule, he said.

Doyle also spoke of the release under the strict condition of former Malisheva Mayor Isni Kilajt.

“Z. Isni Kilaj was released in Kosovo yesterday under strict conditions, under the decision of the Single Judge of Kosovo Specialised Chambers (DHSK) of May 3rd, 2024. Next, this decision was confirmed by an Appeals Court Fair. DHSK on 13 May 2024. In his decision, the Only Judge found that there is still doubt based on Mr. Kilaj has committed, himself or together, criminal acts against administration of justice”, Doyle said.

DPS spokesman added that it has been found that the risk of Kilaj escaping, obstructing judicial procedures, or performing other criminal acts still continues.

The Only Judge also found that there is still moderate danger that Mr. Kilaj to flee and could prevent the performance of criminal procedures and commit other criminal acts. He found further than any of the conditions presented by Mr. Kilaj and none of the other conditions set by the Only Judge can completely limit Mr. Kilaj to prevent the performance of the DHSK procedures and to commit other criminal acts”, he said.

However, he said that the judge of the preliminary procedure came to the conclusion that extending the detention for Cilaj in the current circumstances would be unreasonable, taking into consideration the presumption of innocence and his right to freedom under the circumstances of new developments.

In addition, he added, the judge has stressed in his decision that the risks resulting from the liberation of Kilaj do not weigh more than his right to freedom.

The single judge took into account that (i) Mr. Kilaj has been held in custody for almost six months; (i) for the criminal acts for which Mr. Kilaj is considered suspected of being sentenced by a (1) to (5) years; and (ii) the recent request that the Special Prosecutor's Office (ZPS) presented to the Judge alone for suspending the review of the Actacus delivered by him because he intends to submit a changed indictment, significantly delays the calendar of the process. For this reason, the Only Judge ruled that the dangers resulting from Mr. Kilaj does not weigh more than his basic right to freedom”, Doyle said, adding that Chilayt was assigned certain conditions, including a financial guarantee of 30 thousand euros.

Otherwise, Kosovo Specialised Chambers in The Hague every Thursday at 14:30, via online platform “Zoom” hold weekly information offering updated information on recent developments regarding judicial procedures and activities in this court.