Some evidence related to DNA expert partially accepted in the case of former KLA officials

On October 11, 2024, the prosecution had filed a request to admit to material evidence related to the testimony of witness W04875 in line with Rule 138, 149 and 154, as well as a request for changing the list of material evidence, reports the “Justice Vowmat“.

On December 16, 2024, the court had made a decision stating that the testimony of the aforementioned witness -- who is DNA expert William Goodwin -- to qualify as such. This prompted the decision to postpone accepting the proposed evidence until after his testimony.

This witness witnessed on January 13th 2025, and the same day the Specialised Prosecutor's Office had submitted for accepting evidence of this witness.

So, according to the decision, Z. The SP requires acceptance of the evidence of this witness, including his reports as expert, stem materials and related material evidence.

The defence had rejected the prosecution's request by arguing that this witness has undermined the credibility and provative value of some documents used during his interrogation.

The defence had said that this witness had not given his independent opinion as an expert and he did not support the conclusions that are on stem materials for the fact that he was not involved in conducting DNA tests that stand at the bottom of the reports.

The defence also says that some materials within the proposed evidence should not be accepted through this witness since they have not been shown or commented by the witness himself, and fall outside the scope of his expertise.

The panel has recalled that it has already been found that Witness Goodwin can be considered an expert in understanding of the 149 rule. Similarly, it has said that expert reports relate to identification through DNA analysis, skeleton remains of alleged victims mentioned in the indictment.

The panel has also long recorded its testimony, this witness had confirmed the authorship of reports that it was given the opportunity to provide clarifications and corrections, as well as the exception of those corrections, these reports are correct and reflect what he would say if questioned.

“in light of the above, the panel is pleased that the expert reports meet the requirements of the 149 Rule and are acceptable in line with the 138 (1) and 149”, the decision says.

In addition, the panel has estimated that even the source material of this expert is needed to understand his reports and testimony.

In the decision, the panel reportedly notes that the source material consists of 22 DNA tests for the identification of human remains, where 20 of them were conducted by the International Commission for Missing Persons.

For the remaining documents, however, include an initial DNA analysis conducted by the Institute of Criminals in Prague and a recent updated DNA analysis, linked to the same victim, coupled with an official SPS note.

The ZPS had not requested the acceptance of the pages of two articles from the source material, which defence had rejected as out of the area of this witness's expertise.

However, the panel had noted that stem materials were discussed with the witness and therefore found that material is needed to understand the reports of expert Goodwin.

“as a separate remark, and contrary to defence claims, the panel is not convinced that documents within the source material constitute separate expert reports and, as such, cannot be accepted through W04875. The panel does not view these documents as “reports of expert witnesses” within the understanding of the 149 Rule, nor do its authors view the third parties' <x3->experts, as the defence claims. Rather, these documents are source material, which W04875, qualified as an expert within the understanding of the 149 rule, had the right to consult and assess during the preparation of his expert reports”, the decision is said to be further.

As a result, the court has partially accepted the request by accepting in evidence the proposed materials of this witness, and the SPS has been ordered to hand over the revised version of several other documents that lacked translation.

Meanwhile, on April 15th 2025, the prosecution has announced that it has completed presenting evidence in the case.

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 on 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 been declared in his appearance 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.