The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague has told Radio Free Europe that it was not consulted about efforts in Kosovo to amend the law establishing the court.
The initiative to amend the Law on the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo, commonly known as the Specialist Court, is currently being reviewed by the legal office of Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
The court, which on September 16 convicted four former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders of war crimes, is supported by the European Union. The verdict prompted political opposition and public protests in Kosovo.
The proposed amendments were initiated by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the largest opposition party. For the initiative to proceed in the Assembly, it must receive government approval and pass through parliamentary committees.
“We were not consulted,” the Specialist Chambers said in a brief response to Radio Free Europe, adding that it does not comment on political initiatives.
Among other changes, the draft legislation proposes that the maximum prison sentence that can be imposed by the court be limited to 15 years and that individuals convicted by the Specialist Chambers could be eligible for a presidential pardon.
Legal experts previously interviewed by Radio Free Europe described the initiative as difficult to implement and raised questions about the practical impact any amendments could have.
The proposed changes come amid continued political debate in Kosovo over the mandate and legal framework of the Specialist Chambers following the recent convictions of former KLA leaders.
