Haxhi Shala remains in custody, first witness in this case expected to be submitted by mid-November

Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( DPSK in The Hague has taken the decision to reject Hadzi Shala's request for review of the decision, with which detention was continued.

This has been made known through a weekly conference by DESK spokeswoman Angela Greep, reports “Justice Trust“.

On September 19th, Chairman Ekaterina Trendafilova appointed the Supreme Court panel to decide on Haxhi Shala's request for review of the Supreme Court's decision, in which Mr. Shala for the protection of legitimacy regarding the continuation of his” detention, Greep said.

The spokeswoman said the Supreme Council has found there was no significant violation of the procedure on the part of the judge of the preliminary procedure, who initially continued his detention, nor the Appeals Panel, which confirmed that decision.

The Supreme Court's “Panel found that there was no significant violation of the procedure by the judge of the preliminary procedure, who originally ordered continued detention, or the Appeals panel, which confirmed the verdict. Since Mr. Shala seeks revision of the previous decision, the chairman (Trandafilova) appointed the same court: Ekaterina Trendafilova, Christine van de Vajgart and Daniel Fransen”, she said.

She said that in this court case, the trial is expected to begin on November 11th, while the first witness is expected to be heard between November 11th and November 15th 2024.

Greep also announced that the dates for preparations in this case are scheduled from 7 October to 9 October, while the 10th and 11th date are spare days in case additional time is needed.

She said that the court ordered the Prosecution and the Unit for Witness Protection and Support to provide updated information about witness safety and related matters.

The court's “Trup also ordered the parties to hand over any relevant presentation before the preparation conferences, for example regarding the status of investigations or witnesses aiming to call. The court also announced that the court hearings would be established in a way that takes full advantage of the time available in the courtroom and asked the defence to make all the arrangements necessary to be available during certain sessions. The court ordered the parties to give the reasons for any confidential prefideniality and to let it know when they could be re-acqualify”, she said.

In the case against Peter Shala, Greep said that the Appeals Panel has partially approved the SPS request and ordered the accused to hand over the amended version of his appeal announcement, but not exceed 3 thousand and 200 words. While the edited version of the foundation act in this case has been made public on September 24, 2024.

Also, the DPS spokeswoman also pointed to developments in Salih Mustafes' case, adding that the Constitutional Panel, which was selected by the KSF chairman, has decided to reject the joint application of SPS and defence to extend the deadline for their reference requirements in connection with possible objections to the Supreme decision, which followed with Apel's decision to reduce the Gaddafi sentence.

On the other hand, in the case of former KLA leaders, Greep said that on September 19, 2024, the prosecution's request to accept as evidence three statements of witnesses and their accompanying material evidence after they were submitted to the court.

She then said on September 20th, the court in this case has approved two SPS requests that two witnesses testify via video connection because of their personal circumstances.

Greep announced that during this week three witnesses have testified in this case, two of which were on protective measures while the other was Demush Krasniqi.

These three witnesses, according to her, took to 91 the number of witnesses who have testified so far in this case, as well as the next witness is expected to be heard at the session scheduled for September 30, 2024.

Greep also announced that the request of Isni Kilajt to temporarily change the terms of his release has been rejected so that he can travel for a short break to Albania.

DKS spokeswoman also pointed to developments in the case of Salih Mustaf, adding that the Constitutional Panel, which was selected by the TSK chairman, has decided to reject the joint application of SPS and defence to extend the deadline for their reference requirements in connection with possible objections to the Supreme Decision, which sentence was lowered by Apel.

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.