A defense preparatory conference was held at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague in the case against Hashim Tha\u00e7i, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu, and Hajredin Ku\u00e7i.<\/p>\n
Tha\u00e7i, Kilaj, and Fazliu attended via video link, while Ku\u00e7i and Smakaj waived their right to participate, which the presiding judge, Christopher Gosnell, said is permitted under the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.<\/p>\n
During the preparatory conference, the parties presented their arguments regarding witnesses and possible hearing dates.<\/p>\n
Judge Gosnell instructed the parties to be available on April 14 and 15 for the possible testimony of a defense witness. He also announced that there will be no witness hearings next week. The trial has been postponed until April 14, depending on further court notifications.<\/p>\n
\u201cConsidering the submissions heard today in the courtroom and the related filings under Rule 119, it is clear that there are no witnesses to be heard at least during the week starting April 7, 2026. The next potential witness, who may appear in court, is witness DHD 01. However, this will depend on the outcome of the request under Rule 153, which must first be submitted and decided upon. I ask the parties to be available on April 14 and 15 for a possible hearing of this witness,\u201d Gosnell said.<\/p>\n
He further emphasized that Tha\u00e7i\u2019s defense team must submit their requests by tomorrow at 16:00 and be as specific as possible regarding the timing of witness testimonies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ask Tha\u00e7i\u2019s team to be as concrete as possible in their submission, clearly indicating when witnesses can appear to testify. If they are categorized as expert witnesses, their availability must be specified. Additionally, if they are to appear within 30 days, proper justification must be provided to shorten the deadlines set in the trial schedule. If they are to be heard after April 28, justified reasons must be given to amend the approved calendar,\u201d Gosnell added.<\/p>\n
Defense teams had previously submitted notices regarding the presentation of evidence in the case related to charges of obstruction of justice. However, it was stated during today\u2019s conference that it is still unclear whether any witnesses will testify orally in court.<\/p>\n
Tha\u00e7i, Smakaj, Kilaj, Fazliu, and Ku\u00e7i\u2014who are accused of obstruction of justice\u2014have all pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n
The prosecution claims it has evidence, including audio recordings from the detention center in The Hague. Defense lawyers, however, have challenged these claims, stating that the prosecution\u2019s evidence does not prove the alleged criminal offenses.<\/p>\n
Tha\u00e7i and the others are accused of having provided confidential information and instructions to witnesses during visits in The Hague in 2023, related to the war crimes trial.<\/p>\n
Former president Hashim Tha\u00e7i is also facing separate charges of alleged war crimes, together with Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi.<\/p>\n
The Specialist Prosecutor\u2019s Office has requested 45 years of imprisonment for each of the four former KLA leaders. Tha\u00e7i, Veseli, Krasniqi, and Selimi have pleaded not guilty to all charges, with the defense arguing that there is no evidence supporting the prosecution\u2019s claims.<\/p>\n
The case has now been submitted to the trial panel, which has three months to reach a final decision and may request additional time due to the extensive case file.<\/p>\n
Closing statements began on February 9 and concluded on February 18.<\/p>\n
The trial against the four former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders started on April 3, 2023, nearly three years after the indictment was confirmed. Since then, the former KLA leaders have been held in detention in The Hague.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A defense preparatory conference was held at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague in the case against Hashim Tha\u00e7i, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu, and Hajredin Ku\u00e7i. Tha\u00e7i, Kilaj, and Fazliu attended via video link, while Ku\u00e7i and Smakaj waived their right to participate, which the presiding judge, Christopher Gosnell, said is permitted […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":83646,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[163,1803],"tags":[243,151],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n