The trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi continues this week at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague, where two new defense witnesses are expected to testify.
Over the past two weeks, three defense witnesses have already given testimony. The third, John Duncan, a former British diplomatic service official, delivered most of his evidence in public session.
The case against Thaçi and the others relates to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. On September 18, the Trial Panel ordered the continued detention of Veseli, Selimi, and Krasniqi, citing ongoing risks that the accused could obstruct proceedings or commit further offenses if released.
The judges emphasized that releasing the accused, who possess access to sensitive information, could endanger the safety of both past and future witnesses. In Selimi’s case, the panel recalled an earlier incident where he allegedly leaked confidential information to unauthorized third parties, reinforcing the assessment that his release posed a significant risk.
The Trial Panel acknowledged the length of detention but maintained that continued custody is justified, given the serious nature of the charges and the possibility of lengthy prison sentences if the accused are convicted. According to the court, the risks identified can only be mitigated through strict monitoring measures available within the KSC’s detention facility.
The testimony of the two defense witnesses this week is expected to further shape the course of the highly watched trial.
