The trial in the case of the former KLA leaders has now entered its final phase.
Officially, the defense teams of Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi have notified the Trial Panel at the Special Court that they are closing their cases. This means there will be no further witnesses or evidence presented.
In the submissions published and seen by Nacionale, it is clearly stated that no additional documents will be introduced.
“In accordance with the order of the Trial Panel, the Defense of Mr. Hashim Thaçi hereby confirms that, at this stage, it has no further witnesses to call and no additional evidence to submit as part of its case. Consequently, in line with Rule 131 of the Rules, the Defense closes its case. Nevertheless, this notice does not prejudice any appropriate assistance the Defense may seek concerning evidentiary matters that remain pending before the Trial Panel,” the filing reads.
A similar statement is provided in the submission of Jakup Krasniqi’s defense team:
“The Defense of Jakup Krasniqi does not intend to call any further witnesses or present any additional evidence as part of its case. Accordingly, in line with Rule 131 of the Rules and the order of the Trial Panel, the Krasniqi Defense hereby closes its case. This Notice does not prejudice any appropriate assistance that the Krasniqi Defense may seek in relation to evidentiary matters that remain pending before the Trial Panel.”
This development comes after the court rejected a request to add Bislim Zyrapi to the list of witnesses.
During the last hearing, both the defense and the prosecution requested changes to the deadlines previously set by the judges. These included the deadlines for the final brief and the schedule for closing arguments, which would ultimately affect the timing of the verdict.
The prosecution and the defense asked to be allowed until 30 January to submit their final briefs, and then deliver their closing arguments 45 days later, which would have placed the final arguments around mid-March.
However, the Special Court did not approve the request in full.
According to the most recent decision, the Special Court has ordered that final briefs must be submitted by 19 January, and closing arguments will be held from 9 to 13 February.
As a result, after closing arguments, the judges will have at least three months to deliberate and issue the verdict.
This means that the first-instance judgment for Thaçi and the others is expected by the end of May, or at the latest, the beginning of June.
