At the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague, the Prosecutor’s Office has begun presenting closing statements in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi.
The closing statement is being delivered by the Chief Specialist Prosecutor, Kimberly West, who stated that the court has demonstrated that the climate of witness intimidation can be managed.
This is the first time Kimberly West delivers a closing statement in a trial she described as the largest case handled by this Court.
“We have shown that a climate of intimidation can be managed in a way that ensures the truth is heard. We have become a functional and successful court in a relatively short period,” she said.
West also expressed her gratitude to the victims and witnesses in this case, calling them the most deserving.
“My deepest thanks go to those who have carried the burden to ensure that the rule of law is delivered to the people of Kosovo. I am specifically referring to the victims and witnesses who have appeared before this Court to give their testimony,” she said.
She added that these individuals, despite their fears, chose to cooperate with the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office and testify before the court.
“Despite fears, threats, stigmas, and the challenging circumstances these witnesses and their families faced, they were determined that the truth should come out. They chose to cooperate with my office and give testimony before this Court,” she stated.
According to West, these efforts aim to help create a credible and accurate historical record of the events.
“All of this has been done to help establish a reliable and truthful account of the events from 1998 and 1999, during which over 100 people were killed and hundreds more were abused in and around 50+ KLA detention camps,” she added, noting that this was carried out to ensure accountability for the four accused.
Although the session was scheduled to begin at 09:00 with a 45-minute transmission delay, it started 10 minutes late.
Today’s session is reserved for the Prosecutor’s closing statements, which will continue tomorrow, followed by the Victims’ Counsel statements. Wednesday is reserved for the closing statements of Thaçi’s and Veseli’s defense teams, which will continue on Thursday, followed by Krasniqi’s.
Krasniqi’s defense will conclude their closing statement on Friday, after which Selimi’s defense will present theirs.
The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office filed the confirmed amended indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi on 30 September 2022. It contains ten counts, charging the accused with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Earlier, on 29 April 2022, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office had submitted a first amended indictment alleging that the four accused committed war crimes in Gjilan, Budakovë, and Semetishtë.
On 9 November 2020, in their first appearances, Jakup Krasniqi and Hashim Thaçi pleaded not guilty to the charges. Veseli and Selimi also pleaded not guilty in their respective first appearances on 10 and 11 November.
The indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi was confirmed on 26 October 2020.
