9 hours agoThaci's request for isolation of procedure in case against justice administration is denied
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( DPSK) in The Hague has taken a decision that they have rejected former President Hashim Thaci's request to separate the procedure against him in the case against justice administration. The decision was made on June 30th 2025 on Thaci's request that the trial against him alone be postponed until the case [...] is concluded.
The decision was made on June 30th 2025 on Thaci's request that the trial only be postponed until the case in which he is accused together with Kadri Veselini, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi for war crimes, reports “Justice Vought “, followed. Periscope.
In the decision, the judge of the preliminary procedure, Marjorie Masselot, has found that Thaci's defence arguments are groundless on this and war crimes issue.
Otherwise, Sophie Menegon, Hashim Thaci's lawyer, had sought to isolate the procedure for her client in the case against justice administration until the next court process is completed, where he is accused together with Veselin, Selimin and Krasniqi of war crimes.
The plea put forward by the defence was submitted on May 7th 2025, where the case of Thaci for war crimes is said to be at a crucial but intense phase for defence.
Menegon had said that although the last witness in this case has testified on March 27th 2025 and the prosecution's presentation of evidence closed on 15 April, the pace of defence work has not been eased because it is now in preparation for the motion to drop the charges.
According to the lawyer, in case the motion is unsuccessful, then the subsequent period in this case will include the victims and then the defence case. In addition, she has stressed that the defence is making investigations to present her case, which these investigations require time and active involvement of Thaci.
Hashim Thaci has been at The Hague's Prosecution Centre since November 2020. He is being tried for war crimes, as well as eventually being subjected to an indictment against justice administration.
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.
While, in terms of the case against justice administration, the Smaj Union, Fadil Fazliu and Isni Kilaj were arrested on December 5th 2024 in Kosovo and transferred to the detention facility in DrsK, on December 6, 2024, under the confirmed indictment and reported arrest by The Hague.
While, Thaci has been handed over to the warrant at the detention facility at The Hague on December 5th, 2024, always according to the DK's announcement.
In contrast, Hajredin Kuci has been handed over to the confirmed indictment and the call to appear before the court of preliminary procedure for the first presentation, which was held December 9th.
According to the indictment, Thaci individually and through joint actions with groups; The band Fazliu (Fadil Fazliu and Fahri Fazliu), the Smaj Group (Bashkim Smaj, Blerim Shala and Artan Behrami) and the Kilaj Group (Isni Kilaj and Vlasnim Mayoriu) have followed a pattern of conduct to prevent official persons from performing official duties.
The indictment says Thaci has led and participated in these efforts through his visits to detention facilities during the time he was detained under his trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
It says that members of the Fazliu Group, the Smaj Group and the Kilaj Group were co-ordinated to influence SPS witnesses during the unprincipled visits of July 2nd, September 9th and October 6th 2023.
As a result, three counts of obstructing the official person in carrying out official duties bear against Thaci three counts of violations of the procedure's secrecy and four counts of disobedience to the court.
While, Kilaj, Smaj and Fazliu are accused of trying to prevent official persons from performing official duties and disobeying the tribunal. However, Kuci has two counts of contempt of court.
