Evidence of 9 witnesses in the case of Thaci and others is written

In Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( In The Hague, namely, in the court case against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi has been made the decision to accept the evidence of 9 written witnesses in evidence, as provided under the 153 rule.

This was made known through the weekly conference by DSK spokesman Michael Doyle, who indicated that the decision was made on February 14th after the SPS had asked for the written admission of ten witnesses' testimony, reports “Justice Vought”.

This rule envisions written admission of witness testimony without having to appear in the courtroom if the witness does not have to talk concretely about the actions and criminal behaviour of the accused.

According to Doyle, the defence had not rejected accepting seven evidence, but under certain conditions SPS accepted.

For the other three testimonies, Doyle showed that the judge has rejected a witness, she accepted the second and accepted the third under certain conditions.

On February 18th, however, a request has been rejected by Thaci's defense that the court force the prosecution to call two witnesses for whom it had demanded that he remove himself from the list of witnesses last September.

“The judges recalled that they had invited the Prosecutor to simplify the presentation of her evidence and stressed that the prosecution has already called some witnesses who have testified to the same facts and circumstances for which two witnesses were expected to testify”, Doyle said.

He indicated that in the case of former KLA leaders this week, he has witnessed only one witness who has been on protective measures, which he said has been arrested and mistreated by members of the KLA in 1998.

Doyle also added that on February 19th, 2024, conferences on the performance of the issue have been held in this case, where the SPS has announced they will not call further witnesses after April 4th 2025.

Speaking of this case, Doyle indicated that detention of Thaci and Wessel has lasted for another two months.

In the case against Sabit Yanuzi, Ismet Bahitari, and Haxhi Shala, the court has on February 18th issued orders to ensure that as much information is made public as possible but by simultaneously protecting witnesses and victims.

Doyle also told of the fact that Judge Gilbert Beatty has been extended for another year to oversee the implementation of the order for damage to Salih Mustaf.

It is noteworthy that during this conference, a journalist requested information regarding Thaci's health, on which Doyle informed him that for private reasons the court cannot provide information on the state of health of detained persons and that it is legal obligation.

According to Doyle, extracting such information can only be done with initial consent in line with European Union standards for data protection.

Doyle added that it is not unusual for the accused to be absent from court hearings when they are not feeling well or having minor complaints announcing that Thaci is participating in regular daily activities in the detention facility.

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.