Thaci's lawyer pleads to The Hague tribunal: We were denied the right to prepare

He stated that this decision has been taken without hearing defence and without preliminary notice, putting the legal team under extraordinary work burden.

The last six weeks, I want to re-inflate the way we've figured it out. Defence teams have been given answers that they will have 10 weeks after the decision is issued, not counting on the summer break. The court has changed its position, given us another premonition, that the court that set the deadlines for aspects of defence evidence, including the delivery of witnesses and the list of material evidence. He also set up a conference on defence preparation. By June 23rd, the SPS has responded by rejecting the change. One of the reasons we have disputed is that defence should have an equal opportunity to be heard. On July 2nd, the court overturned our request to change the deadlines, except for the conference date for defence preparation. The court decided on several deadlines required by the SPS without hearing the defence statements. Under this order, Thaci's defence, being the first indictee, has been ordered to present its evidence from August 25th 2025, the court has reduced the time available for defence by 10 weeks as planned, and, instead of October 15th, has decided to start the case on August 25th. And meanwhile, all of this has been done without any kind of announcement from February to June, not taking into account the difficulties the defence has in meeting the deadlines. Our preconception is that you haven't heard from us, but the defense has specifically demanded what you think. The court has, in effect, said that this is acceptable. The accused have the right to retaliate in the broad accession for 10 weeks, which is met by this deadline will be from October 10th, including the requirements for the rule 107”, the lawyer said.

Mistic said the court has not offered equal treatment to the prosecution and has asked for clarification why the defence was not given the opportunity to present its position for deadlines.

He stressed that these decisions have seriously violated the right to an equal and just defense.

“We want to be given the opportunity to explain why we have not been given our right to these” terms, said lawyer Mistic. /Periscope/