FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague have begun the final phase of one of the most important trials since the Kosovo war. Closing statements will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the case against four former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
The trial of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi has entered its final phase after several years of proceedings. After the conclusion of closing statements by all parties, the panel is expected to retire for the final decision regarding the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to all counts of the indictment.
The Specialized Prosecution Office charges them with unlawful detention, cruel treatment, torture and unlawful killing, as well as imprisonment, inhumane acts, enforced disappearance and persecution. According to the indictment, these acts are alleged to have been committed from March 1998 to September 1999, in several areas of Kosovo and northern Albania.
Closing statements are expected to be delivered by the Specialist Prosecutor's Office, the Victims' Advocate and the defendants' defense teams in the coming days and weeks. The four former KLA commanders have been in custody in The Hague since November 2020.
The indictment against the four was confirmed on 26 October 2020 and made public on 5 November, the day they were transferred to the detention centre. After the preliminary phase and the exchange of materials between the parties, the full trial began on 3 April 2023 with opening statements.
The prosecution and the Victims' Advocate argued that the accused had acted as part of a common criminal structure, while the defense opposed this approach, emphasizing the lack of a centralized command of the KLA. The defense teams also rejected claims of individual responsibility of the defendants for the crimes described.
From April 2023 to December 2025, dozens of witnesses were heard and numerous pieces of evidence were administered in this process. About 155 participating victims were registered in the case. The prosecution presented direct and written testimonies from over 200 people, including testimonies that were strongly contested by the defense.
With the start of closing statements, the process has entered the decisive phase, while the final decision of the trial panel is expected after the conclusion of the final arguments of all parties.
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