ZPS urges continued detention for Thaci, Veselin

To Thaci and Wessel, Z. The SP has made two separate requests, with which it stresses that there is danger that the two indictees “prevent the judicial process, commit other crimes, or even flee”, reports the “Justice Voct”.

“None of the condition release modes are able to ease the risks sufficiently. The relevant risks can be effectively managed only in the DPS detention facilities, as recently reaffirmed by this Panel”, the SPS's two requirements are said.

Also, in both requirements, Z. The SP has recalled the risks of obstructing the TKSK procedures, and “risk of committing further crimes by accused”, the panel has found that neither of the previously proposed conditions nor any additional measure can ease the risks that exist in this case.

According to the SPS, nothing has changed since the court's recent ruling on continuing detention of the two indictees.

The SPS has added that Thaci's “behaviour represents an extremely increased risk, and especially with the continuation of the trial and further detection of evidence”.

“Instead, Thaci's behaviour now represents an extraordinary increased risk that even standard restrictions and monitoring of the communications of the Para-burg Centre are insufficient to tame, making it necessary to establish an even stricter regime by this Panel. So, especially in terms of continuing judgment and further detection of evidence, basic risks are higher than ever, said the SPS request.

And as for Wessel's behaviour, it is similar in the SPS's request for continued detention of him.

The ZPS recalled again the panel's argument for continuing detention of the accused, where it found that it should assess the facts of each case and its personal features and “that include the impact and authority of the accused, his knowledge of charges and evidence against him, the possibility of a long prison sentence, the risk of preventing procedures, committing crimes”, etc.

While in demand for Wessel, the SPS recalled the panel's reasoning on continuing detention, stressing that he is charged on dozens of counts of international crimes, in which he allegedly played a significant role and that if convicted, he could face long prison terms, etc.

As a result, the SPS has indicated that given these factors and additional factors, the detention measure to Thaci and Veselin “continues to be reasonable and that they must remain in custody”.

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.