The Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague has decided that witnesses for the victims’ defense will be called after the testimony of witnesses from the Office of the Specialist Prosecutor (SPO) concludes in the ongoing trial against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi.
Judge Charles Smith III, who is presiding over the case, announced that the witnesses for the victims’ defense will testify after the SPO’s witnesses have completed their statements, and after preliminary motions and arguments related to Rule 130 are addressed. This will occur before the defense witnesses begin presenting their cases.
Furthermore, Judge Smith confirmed that all parties have agreed that any compensation claims will be filed only after the court’s ruling on the charges.
In the most recent session, several oral orders were issued, including the acceptance of certain material evidence, while a document related to the LPK (Kosovo People’s Liberation Army) was contested by the defense over concerns regarding its authenticity and origin.
All four accused individuals were present in the courtroom during the session. The SPO had filed an amended indictment on September 30, 2022, accusing Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi, and Krasniqi of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The amended indictment was confirmed on October 26, 2020. All accused individuals, including Thaçi and Krasniqi, have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
