Thaci and others, after complaints, the Judicial Chamber gives orders to speed up evidence

Decisions have emerged as a result of statements at the conference on the progress of the 27 May 2024 court case in this case.

Initially, the court ordered the SPS to inform the parties in detail of all measures they will take to cut and speed up the presentation of their evidence.

The trial “Trug orders the SPS to announce the trial body, the parties and participants in the further announcement for rationalising its evidence no later than September 16th 2024 and expect to give us detailed and clear all the steps and measures that the SPS will take to cut and accelerate the presentation of its evidence. At this point, after taking these, the court will organise a conference on the progress of the court to further discuss this aspect and to hear the statements of the parties regarding the announcement we will receive from the ZPS”, the chief judge said.

Also, he ordered the SPS to consider the possibility of preparing sessions being conducted at a distance.

“The ZPS is commanded to consider the possibility of conducting distance or physical preparation sessions in the witness settlement when it is possible to speed up the process under preparation and extract feasibility notes. The court is aware that this process may be particularly appropriate in the case of crime witnesses, witnesses who have limited statements and interviews, perhaps even witnesses who primarily serve to confirm further evidence”, the judge said.

Charles Smith III, commissioned the defense to make announcements within a day in case there are changes of time to the questions he has anticipated about witnesses and so does Z. The SP must take necessary steps so that as far as it is possible it will not waste a day they have planned to keep it in the courtroom.

The defense should give realistic time predictions against questions within three working days after they receive notice of the next list of witnesses to call the SPS. As for witnesses who will begin witnessing on June 24th 2024, the defence will have to give us this time assessment no later than June 12th 2024”, Smith III said further.

He added that, in case the court estimates, it can reduce, as well as establish borders.

The court will review the time required protection, and when necessary, it will also make its predictions for an appropriate time for questioning and may set limits if necessary. In cases where the court estimates that it is necessary to reduce the time needed for witness questionings, it will communicate this over time to parties and participants. This time limit that the court will determine will serve as the SPS base to plan the next witnesses. In addition, the defence will have to prepare against questions on the basis of the deadlines that the court will define and may require additional time for the questions, and will have to argue on this”, he said.

Besides, the ZPS was ordered that in case it comes to the conclusion that I will not call any witnesses, immediately announce the court and protection. And for witnesses of the crime, he instructed Z. The SP to consider handing over their testimony on the 153 rule.

“As far as crime witnesses are concerned, the ZPS directed this into the possibility of handing in their testimony under the 153 rule. The court notes that this provision is particularly useful in cases where the proposed testimony is primarily, or exclusively, of the confirmation nature, or b) when the evidence in question is not disputed. Before requirements are made under the 153 rule, the SPS must first consult defence teams to see if there can be objections from them”, he said.

In addition, the SPS was ordered to provide a detailed planning on how it plans to present the evidence itself as it planned until April 1st, 2025.

This plan should be given to the court ex-pathically and not later than June 21st, 2024. There will be detailed information in this as follows; 1) witnesses who plan to call the SPS during this time period and toʹte the corresponding order, 2) the hours you think will need for questioning itself, 3) who witnesses will be in accordance with the 153 rule and 4) who will be in the 154 order, 5) who remaining witnesses will be used by the 155 rule for the remaining period, 6) any non - oral motions or other motions that will be submitted in this period 7) which of these witnesses will be connected to video and 8-quarters of the art factors that can influence any negative planning to the verdict, the judge said.

The judge added that the moment he receives this planning from the SPS would decide whether to grant protection to the accused and the victims.

After we take the planning from the SPS, the court will decide whether it can give part or entirely to the defense and defender of the victims and will consult with the SPS and see the possibility to organise a conference on the progress of the court case in this regard. This planning is beneficial so that all parties can prepare effectively and make sure that this court case continues quickly. Of course, the SPS is not necessarily obliged to follow the planning it originally provided and will be something flexible”, he said. /Betimi for Justice/