The specialist accepts testimony from two witnesses in the case of former KLA leaders, one under protective measures

According to the decision made on April 2, 2025, which was made public on the same day, December 13, 2017, and on February 14, 2025, the court had postponed the decision to accept the statements of witness W04858 and had refused acceptance of the W02172 testimony.

A similar request, the SPS had made on March 7th 2025, but that the witness W04858 had also requested safeguard clauses, reports “Justice bet”, broadcasts Periscope.

On March 19th, the SPS's bid had been answered by defence teams. While the SPS's response had been delivered on 24 March. On the same day, the defence had demanded the admission of an additional statement to witness W02172, which was accepted by the court.

In her request, the SPS had cited the fact that the judges had ascertained about the W02172 witness that the evidence regarding it is important and authentic but that they were refused to be accepted under the 153 rule would have more damaging effect of the prov value.

According to the ruling, the court had said that this witness's interview concerned persons allegedly detained at the Lapashtica detention facility, as well as the interaction the witness has had with various KLA members.

In her request, the SPS has said that after this material has now been delivered with editing, the provative value of the witness's statement in question has no harmful effect and that it must be accepted according to the 153 rule.

The defence had said this declaration should not be accepted according to rule 153 with the argument that W02172 confessions on the KLA structure and its alleged policy of punishing collaborators constitute incriminating elements and are incompatible with its testimony regarding the same issue.

The ruling states that the court again is of the opinion that the proposed evidence of the W02172 witness is as authentic as he had calculated in the preliminary decision. According to them, the proposed evidence meets the W02172 witness's statements as they provide significant corrections and clarifications.

In addition, the court has come up with the conclusion that the proposed evidence is backed by other witnesses whose defense has had the opportunity to confront. As a result, it has been found that such evidence is of provative value.

The ruling says that again again, the court maintains that the proposed evidence of witness W02172 is relevant and authentic. It was also found that there have been revisions required in previous decisions.

And for witness W04858, the court had postponed the decision because of the lack of a witness signing, although his testimony was regarded as relevant, authentic, has provative value and was not biased.

After the witness signed the statement and a document with corrections, sir. The SP again requested the material acceptance of this evidence, and had proposed that the witness be given protective measures.

The panel has found that requirements according to the rule in question have been fulfilled, as well as found that the evidence concerning witness testimony W04858 is acceptable.

And for protective measures, the court has estimated that they are necessary to protect the witness and his family. For the establishment of these measures, the court has taken as an example the climate of witness intimidation in Kosovo.

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.