The judicial process at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague is entering its final phase, with defense attorneys expressing strong confidence that the court will ultimately acquit the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA/UÇK).
According to defense representatives, recent testimonies have been decisive, significantly undermining the foundations of the prosecution’s case, which they argue is based on fabricated evidence originating from Serbia and supported by Russia.
Defense: Key Witnesses Have “Shaken” the Indictment
Attorney Skënder Musa told RTK that defense witnesses have delivered powerful and fact-based testimonies that have “shaken the indictment to its core.”
“The first who dismantled the indictment was Mr. Robin, and additional witnesses have been equally strong and convincing,” Musa said.
“We also heard from Ambassador Hill, who spoke about the functioning of the KLA during the war. He clearly stated that the allegations included in the indictment mirror those made by Slobodan Milošević.”
Musa emphasized that such testimony exposes the political nature of the accusations, which he said were designed decades ago by Serbia and later recycled into the current legal process.
Bajraktari: Prosecution Failed to Prove a Command Structure
Attorney Ardian Bajraktari stated that the most recent testimonies further strengthen the defense’s argument that no unified chain of command existed within the KLA that could justify collective responsibility.
“These testimonies only reinforce the opposite of what the Prosecution claims,” Bajraktari said.
“I am optimistic that if the court is guided by justice, the final outcome will be the full acquittal of the accused. The KLA neither committed crimes nor possessed a command structure that could make them responsible for such acts.”
Both lawyers maintain that a fair, evidence-based evaluation will inevitably lead to a not-guilty verdict for the four KLA leaders currently on trial.
Wesley Clark to Testify Before Final Arguments
In the coming weeks, General Wesley Clark, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, is expected to testify as the final witness in the case. His testimony is anticipated to play a significant role in contextualizing NATO’s understanding of the KLA during the 1998–1999 conflict.
Following Clark’s appearance, the trial will move into its closing argument phase, after which the judicial panel will deliberate and deliver the final verdict.
