ZPS for 62nd witness: Arrested and beaten by KLA soldiers in early 1999

Questions for the witness have begun the SPS representative, prosecutor Matt Halling, who first read a summary saying the witness was arrested and beaten by KLA soldiers in early 1999.

The SPS witness has been arrested by KLA soldiers in early 1999. The Witness was badly beaten within a three - week period on which he was transferred and released. Witness 03878 has suffered serious injuries and injuries and have lasted in time as a result of his ban and mistreatment”, the prosecutor said.

This witness is giving video-connected evidence and is on protective measures. It is noteworthy that the chairman of the court asked the witness if he would like to remove these measures, but he refused so that his identity is protected.

Several questions were asked at the public hearing, where the witness claimed that there were armed guards at the scene, and beatings were also performed with light.

During the time the witness had been detained, he denied that he was before any judge, and he also said they had no official charges. Then, for the witness's protection, the other questions the prosecutor asked to lay in private hearings, and that was approved by the court.

According to Judge Charles Smith III, the testimony of this witness is expected to last about a day and a half. He said the prosecution has for questioning envisioned about an hour, while defence questions are expected to take some six and a half hours.

Besides, the chairman of the court, Charles Smith III, said Selimi and Wessel are physically present at the trial hearing, while Thaci and Krasniqi are 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. /Betimy for Justice