At the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, the trial against the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) continued this Tuesday, with testimony from Jock Covey, former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner.

Covey, the fourth witness called by Hashim Thaçi’s defense, stated that the former President of Kosovo had a complicated relationship with KLA commanders, who, according to him, often showed a lack of respect toward Thaçi.

“Mr. Thaçi did not have significant relations with this group of commanders on the ground, and it was very unlikely that they would seek his guidance or orders,” Covey said, recalling a meeting held with commanders on the issue of disarmament after the war ended.

According to him, the commanders did not act within a clear chain of command but rather as part of a movement with broad autonomy in each zone.

“There was no central command. The KLA was more of a movement than a proper army. General Çeku, although more influential, still had to ensure he had the support of the commanders for any agreement,” Covey added.

He also recalled a critical moment after liberation, when NATO was trying to convince the KLA to accept the agreement for creating a civil defense force in Kosovo. According to Covey, Thaçi played a limited role in this process, while the commanders showed hesitation to cooperate.

Covey’s testimony follows that of former U.S. official James Rubin, legal adviser Paul Williams, and former British diplomat John Stewart Duncan, who also emphasized Thaçi’s lack of commanding authority over the KLA.

The trial of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi began in 2023. The four former KLA leaders are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity and remain in detention in The Hague.

In the coming weeks, seven more witnesses called by the defense are expected to testify in court.