Closing statements of former KLA leaders at the Special Court in The Hague

The trial in the Special Court against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, former Speakers of Parliament Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and former MP Rexhep Selimi has lasted for almost three years.

In the closing session, all four pleaded not guilty. The defense requested their release, while the prosecution requested that they be found guilty and sentenced to 45 years in prison each.

The judges have three months to make a final decision.

The last words of the accused

Former President Hashim Thaçi emphasized that his only enemy was the "butcher of the Balkans," referring to Slobodan Milosevic.

He added that the KLA fought for freedom and that Albanians did not exercise power during the war, but faced oppression from the Serbian regime.

Kadri Veseli stated that he returned from exile in Kosovo to protect the people during the massacres in Likoshan and Prekaz and expressed his belief that justice will be established on the truth, not the narratives of the Prosecution.

Rexhep Selimi judged the Prosecution's claims as unfounded, emphasizing that the purpose of the accusation was to punish the KLA General Staff, while Jakup Krasniqi said that the accusations are similar to the narratives of those who oppressed Albanians and are not based on reliable evidence.

Lawyers' words

The defendants' lawyers requested the release of their clients. Kadri Veseli's lawyer, Rodney Dixon, considered the prosecution's evidence "garbage", saying that the testimony was based on hearsay and did not connect Veseli to the alleged actions.

Luka Mishetic, Thaçi's defense attorney, said that the Prosecution had not presented concrete evidence, but only general references that do not prove guilt.

Rexhep Selim's lawyer, Geoffrey Roberts, criticized the Prosecution for incompetence and lack of clarity in the case. Jakup Krasniqi's lawyer, Aidan Ellis, accused the Prosecution of distorting evidence and fragmented selection of evidence.

Epilogue and accusations

Chief Justice Charles Smith III declared the case closed and announced that he will contact the parties about the date of the verdict. The judges have three months to decide, or request an extension of the deadline.

The Special Prosecution Office charges Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi and Selimi with joint criminal enterprise in connection with six counts of war crimes and four counts of crimes against humanity.

According to the ZPS, the accused were aware of the alleged crimes and intended to seize power in Kosovo. The former KLA leaders have denied all charges.

The trial against them began in April 2023, two and a half years late from their arrest on November 4 and 5, 2020.

The Geopost