19 minutes agoDefence statements closing in process against former KLA leaders today
Periskopi(5 months ago)
(5 months ago)In Kosovo's Specialised Chambers, headquartered at The Hague, today the closing statements hearing continues in the trial of former KLA leaders: Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. Jakup Krasniqi's defence today has another hour and a half to complete its concluding declaration, which he has launched [...]
Jakup Krasniqi's defence today has another hour and a half to complete its closing declaration, which he has launched Friday.
Aiden Ellis, who represents Jakup Krasniqi, has said on Friday that, according to the evidence, it has not been proven that his client had the main responsibility for the communiqués.
According to the defence, Krasniqi's file reportedly had primary responsibility for the communiqués and that he was their founder and editor.
The “has never proven that Mr. Krasniqi has had the main responsibility for the communiqués. I will end by saying that paragraph 554 of the Prosecutor's File is a clear example of the way the Prosecutor's Office has failed”, Ellis said.
Jakup Krasniqi's lawyer, Venkateswari Alagedra, said Jakup Krasniqi must be acquitted and return to his family.
She stressed in her speech that Krasniqi is in custody at The Hague of 1,926 days.
The “states that there is only one option: to make an innocent decision on all charges brought against Jakup Krasniqi. At the end of the presentation, we will call on the court of honour to declare Krasniqi innocent and allow this 75-year-old gentleman to return to his family and spend the years God has assigned to his family”, she said.
Lawyer Alagedra said the Specialised Prosecutor's Office relies on speculation and untrusted claims on charges against Krasniqi. According to her, there is no witness claiming Krasniqi has mistreated anyone.
Krasniqi's defence accused the prosecution of selecting documents and parts of witness testimony in accord with its interests, adding that it has ignored pieces of evidence that do not suit the SPS.
The Prosecution's closing word began on February 9, 2026, and ended the following day, on February 10, when the specialised chief prosecutor, Kimberly West, sought a unique 45-year sentence on each of the four accused.
But February 10th was meant for defence, while on February 11, 2026, the final word was given the protection of Hashim Thaci and was launched by Kadri Wessel, which continued on February 12th. After its completion, Rexhep Selimi's defence began.
All demanded that former KLA leaders be acquitted, saying the prosecution has not argued otherwise.
