Two witnesses' statements in the case of former KLA leaders will be written, questioned by defence

In the court case against former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders (UÇK), Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, a decision has been made for the statements of two witnesses to be accepted in writing, while defence will have the opportunity to be questioned.

So did Angela Greep, spokesperson for Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( DESK) in The Hague on Thursday during the week's conference, where, among other things, it told about developments that have characterised the Court during the break, reports the “Justice Battle“.

“in the same court case, on December 20th and January 6th, the court ruled on a request by the Prosecutor to accept as the written testimony of two witnesses and accompanying material evidence, while witnesses should be available to be questioned by the opposing side. In addition, the court approved a request by the prosecution to allow a witness to give a witness via video conference”, Grieep said.

On the same occasion, Greep reiterated that on December 18, 2024, a request of the victim's defender that a relative person of a already-changing victim be involved in the judicial process has been approved.

While in the case Hashim Thaci, Bashkim Smaj, Fadil Fazliu, Isni Kilaj and Hajredin Kuci, dealing with allegations of influence in witnesses, Greep said Thaci has been declared innocent.

“in the same court case, on December 20th, the court of preliminary procedure issued the framework ruling on the issue of evidence and related cases. This decision determines the calendar for the process of extracting evidence, during which the prosecution should provide protection with evidence intended to use during the trial, as well as decide on other aspects concerning the quick preparation of the trial case”, Greep said further.

The spokeswoman indicated that the Constitutional decision on Thaci's request for alleged violation of his fundamental rights has been made public on December 24th due to specific investigative measures ordered by the judge of the preliminary procedure for him during his detention in 2023.

DSF's spokeswoman said that in the court case against Sabit Januzi, Haxhi Shala and Ismet Bahitari, on December 20, 2024, the court issued the verdict on classifying certain statements and ordered defence teams to prepare the edited public versions of several statements.

“While it indicated that on December 23rd, 2024, the edited version of the order for injury against Peter Shala was published, whereby he was obliged to pay the amount of 208 thousand euros.

The trial “Trup invited the head of the DHSK to appoint a single judge responsible for monitoring and monitoring the existence and implementation of the reform order. Although the court recalled that the responsibility for paying compensation to the victims is exclusively held by Mr. Shala, he stressed that currently Mr. Shala does not seem to own financial means for meeting the order. Consequently, the court discussed the possibility of involving other actors in carrying out the order for damage. Among them were the current programme for compensation of crime victims in Kosovo, as well as the possibility of donors contributing undeserved donations to Specialised Chambers”, she said.

She added that the jury's body has invited Kosovo to pass the necessary laws and create reprobate mechanisms for compensation of crime victims involved in the DPS jurisdiction. He said on Monday they resume hearings in the trial of former KLA leaders.

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.