Jakup Krasniqi denied request for provisional release, due to Skelzen Gashi post

According to the decision taken on May 13th, which was made public on June 11th, there is still no information showing that Krasniqi can escape from justice, but there is a danger that he will prevent procedures or commit other crimes against those described as opponents of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK), including witnesses themselves in the matter, reports the “Battle for Justice “.

The defence had asked the court to take into account the conditions Krasniqi was imposed during his visit to Kosovo for humanitarian reasons and had also proposed extra conditions. But the court had not considered these proposed measures sufficient.

But, the prosecution had said that despite the improvement of the Kosovo Police's capacities, none of the proposed conditions is sufficient to ease the existing risks that come up for provisional release.

According to the prosecution, continuing these procedures causes greater risks than ever to be prevented.

The defence, on the other hand, had responded that the prosecution's statements did not rely on evidence and that there is no reason to suspect in the Kosovo Police parase in which they had provided guarantees that are prepared to monitor a provisional release.

The proposed conditions include measures similar to those set for Mr. Krasniqi from this jury during his recent humanitarian release, and the measures Kosovo police have reported to be ready and able to implement”, said the verdict, adding that the court has not convinced that these conditions could reduce the risks.

The court stressed that the conditions that were set for Krasniqi during his provisional release to Kosovo had been adjusted for specific purposes, and were envisioned necessary for a short period of time due to the urgent nature of the visit. But those measures would not be effective for any longer-term provisional release.

The panel has estimated that information provided by Kosovo Police did not adequately address the possible risk of flow of information concerning protected witnesses, including those who have testified and those expected to testify in the next phase of the trial.

“Paneli maintains that no additional information that would try to get directly from the Kosovo Police would not help on the issue, as the latter has been contacted on several separate occasions by Krasniqi's defence and Pre-Preligure Procedure Judge”, said further in the decision.

Based on these and other circumstances, the court has found that continuing custody for Krasniqi is necessary.

The defence had indicated that the continuation of the detention for Krasniqi should be considered and his age and also the fact that defence should conduct investigations in Kosovo in preparation for investigations. As a result, the defence had demanded that Krasniqi's right be considered to be adequately prepared for his defence.

“As far as Krasniqi's defence argument is concerned that his prolonged detention could be perceived as a “pre-trial sentence”, the panel recalls that any detention analysis should take as the starting point of presuming innocence. However, presumption of innocence is not crucial to the assessment of whether provisional release should be granted, because otherwise no accused would ever be held in custody”, the verdict said.

But, the prosecution had said that the detention of Krasniqi remains proportional, referring to the grave charges he was charged with.

However, the court rejected the defence requirement for Krasniqi's provisional release and continued his detention for another two months.

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 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./Periscopi/