Hashim Thaci's defence insists: Z The SP is breaking rule 136.

The chief defender, lawyer Luka Misetic again in response to the SPS, has demanded that it ban the handover of evidence following the closure of the case against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.

Initially, on March 13th, he had asked the court to order the prosecution not to present evidence.

Meanwhile, on March 25th, chief specialised prosecutor Kimberly West responded to the request, demanding her rejection.

The ZPS has said that findings in question meet all criteria, and “do not constitute the presentation of prefixes or presentation of evidence.

“Thaci's defence request for an order to the SPS under the 136th Rule of Procedure and Tests in front of Kosovo's Specialised Chambers, and ignores implementation of the 112th Rule and the jurisdiction of the Specialised Chambers in connection with it. The fulfillment of the Specialised Prosecutor's Office (ZPS) of its continuing obligations to reveal evidence, in line with the applicable framework, does not constitute evidence presentation, or prefix presentation, in the sense of the 136 rule. The request should be refused in line with this”, this statement states.

But, on March 30th, the defence has countered this threat, assessing that the SPS position is based on “the wrong interpretation” and “if it is not changed“would allow a continuing violation of fair trial”.

Mr. “Hashim Thaci (Protection) thereby responds to the pre-representation of the Specialised Prosecutor's Office (ZPS) regarding the Defence Request for a Order under the 136 Rule of Procedure and Evidence in front of Kosovo's Specialised Chambers the SPS stance is based on a wrong interpretation of the 112 and 136 rules, which, if left unchanged, would allow a continuing violation of the fundamental law of Mr. Thaci for a fair trial”, said in defence response Luka Misetiq.

Former president Hashim Thaci's chief lawyer, through his statements, expresses concern that the unilateral presentation of evidence by the SPS does not guarantee fair process.

“This presentation of “looks to” of evidence violates the principle of arms equality and right to comment on the evidence presented before the judges of the fact, as guaranteed by the European Convention for Human Rights (Brandstetter vs Austria), Article 31 of the Constitution and the Law (the decision of the Specialised Chamber of the Constitutional Court that examines and confirms the constitutional compatibility of the Kosovo Procedure and Specialised Chambers of Chambers) <ex> is said aside in this statement of defence.

Defence again through this response to SPS has asked the court to order this latter not to submit these evidence.

But what does order of procedure and evidence in front of Kosovo's Specialised Chambers exactly rule 136?

After closing statements, the chairman of the court declares the case closed. At this stage, the court cannot present any other statements except in specific circumstances and by showing valid reasons. At this stage the court cannot accept any preemptives, or hear other evidence, unless dictated by specific circumstances”, it says.

This debate comes after the issue is closed to the KLA fours, and when this case is already in the hands of judges for the ruling.

On February 9 of this year's specialised rooms have initiated concluding words in Thaci's case and others.

Also read Sorensen's Visit, will there be progress in dialogue during 2026?

The KLA fourth on February 18th has submitted their 20-minute words, where they have again been declared innocent of all charges charged by the Specialised Prosecutor's Office.
Even Hashim Thaci's defence teams, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi, have demanded that the same be declared innocent for all points of the indictment.

The chief specialised prosecutor, Kimberly West, has been seeking jail sentences of 45 years, for each of the former KLA heads, with war crimes claims.

The trial against them has begun on April 3, 2023, nearly three years after confirming the indictment since former KLA leaders are held at The Hague detention centre. /kosovapress/