Kosovar lawyer Musa Damati expects a verdict of acquittal for the four former Kosovo Liberation Army members — Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi — who are being held in pre-trial detention in The Hague.
In an interview with Ekonomia Online, Damati stated that in complex and marathon cases, such as the ongoing trial in The Hague, judicial panels usually require more time for a thorough and detailed review of the evidence.
He noted that the complexity of the case files and the large volume of judicial materials directly influence the timing of the verdict.
Nevertheless, Damati expressed optimism about the final outcome:
“As a lawyer, I expect a verdict of acquittal for all those who have faced international justice in The Hague since October 2020.”
He added that there is no strict deadline for the verdict, as the timeline depends on the efficiency and updates of the judicial panel. Damati clarified that the decision by the court represents a final ruling only at the first instance:
“Every first-instance decision has the legal right to appeal. Regardless of the verdict, it will undoubtedly be appealed to the higher levels of international justice.”
According to him, the right to appeal is an integral part of the judicial process, ensuring a full and fair review of cases at higher instances.
On November 9, 2020, in their first appearances, Jakup Krasniqi and Hashim Thaçi pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Kadri Veseli entered a not-guilty plea on November 10, and Rexhep Selimi did the same on November 11.
The indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi was confirmed on October 26, 2020.
The Special Court was established in 2015 by the Assembly of Kosovo. It operates within the Kosovo judicial system but functions with international personnel and is based in The Hague.
