Judgment to the end: Fight at The Hague for Lawyers' deadlines to prepare KLA leaders' defence

The prosecution, despite giving up thousands of materials on the last day as evidence, has stressed that protection should respect deadlines.

The prosecution has demanded that through July 21st, the defence present materials and witnesses for the Prosecution.

Then, finish all file delivery by August 18th, at the latest.

By August 18th, the prosecution has also requested full witness lists.

However, lawyers have responded sharply to the prosecution's criticism.

The request identified five factors that demonstrate good reason to change the timetables, and 107 permits were just one of these factors. However, the description of the matter as “is only” Rule permission 107 incorrectly determines the volume of the job required to obtain permission and the broader impact of permits in preparation. As it is undoubtedly aware of the SPS, the permits affect every stage of the process for the affected witnesses (the initial permission to speak to a witness, the adoption of any proposed statements, the adoption to testify, the adoption for using one witness documents) and have a current effect on the decisions on which materials and witnesses who do not submit to rule permit 107x3>, The defence response, reports the Nacional newspaper.

Moreover, some defence teams have had difficulty getting co-operation from the 107 Rule providers and having experienced considerable delays in receiving the required answers or materials, leading to subsequent delays in processing and preparing the defence issue. For example, Thaci's Protection requested the discovery of documents by an bidder in 2022, but over 900 items sought were discovered during May and June 2025”, It says further.

Prosecutor's critics, the defense has called them useless and confusing.

In addition, SPS statements about the length of closing SPS issues and the Defence Preparation Conferences are useless and confusing”, It says further.

Twenty to 25 witnesses are expected to have the defense of Liberation Army leaders at The Hague Special Court.

Of them, about 15 could be invited to testify in court.

In a statement that the Nacional newspaper has seen, Thaci's defence could reportedly call up to 12 witnesses who will testify at the tribunal, but which even that number could be reduced.

While, Jakup Krasniqi's defence will have 10 witnesses, of whom five will testify to the Special Court.

Currently, the defence of Wessel and Selim are not planning to invite witnesses.

After consultations among defence teams during the week of June 9th 2025, the total number of defence witnesses is currently projected to be no more than 20 to 25. Of these witnesses, approximately 15 can be called to witness directly (or, round vocal or according to Rule 154), while the evidence of the remaining witnesses will be presented in accordance with the 153 or 155 rules. Concretically: Thaci's defence could call up to 12 witnesses directly, though it is likely to be less; Krasniqi's defense may call up to 10 witnesses, of whom nearly five can be called to witness directly; nor does the Protection of Wessel; nor does Selim's Protection actually intend to call any witnesses, but are continuing investigations and reserve the right to add witnesses to their list of Witnesses”, It says in the document, reports Nacional.

As a result, the case of defence will be markedly shorter than thought. For 9 months, the case of lawyers is expected to end in three months.

The defences, therefore, have demanded that they be changed for the terms set by the judges.

The list of witnesses, the defence has sought to hand him over on August 18th.

In the coming week of August 18th, however, a preparation conference for the case of defence should be held.

In this statement, lawyers have proposed that the first defence witness be invited to testify on the 15 September week.

However, the decision is expected by Special Judges.

Currently, the process has remained in the KLA leaders' attorneys' motion of dropping charges.

KLA leaders have had until June 12th to hand over the motion, while the judges' decision is expected in mid-July. The prosecution will have until 7 July to deliver the answers.

On June 5, 2025, the Judicial Chamber in the Thaci case and others issued a revised order regarding the setting of future steps in this procedure. In his most recent decision on accepting SPS evidence, handed over confidentially on May 29th of this year, the Judicial Chamber ordered defence teams to file the joint motion in line with the 130th rule, until June 12th, while the SPS was ordered to hand over its response until July 14th. However, in today's decision, the Judicial Chamber found it appropriate, proprio the motto (at its initiative), to reduce the deadline for the SPS response on 7 July.” ) It says on notice.

If the defence motion is refused, whether in whole or in part, the Victims' Protector will have to be willing to call his witnesses as of 16 July. That same day, defence teams must announce whether to present their ongoing evidence.

Also, the Judicial Chamber is scheduled for the Defence Preparation Conference to take place in the week starting on July 21st.

The Judicial Chamber stressed that it is currently intended to make its decision according to the 130th rule in the week starting on July 14th. If the Judicial Chamber rejects the defence motion under the 130th or in part rule, the Victims Protector is commanded to prepare to call his witnesses on July 16th, while defence teams should report if they intend to submit their evidence by July 16th. Moreover, the Judicial Chamber currently intends to hold the Defence Preparation Conference in the week starting on July 21st. “It goes on.

So lawyers have demanded that the above deadlines be changed.