At the Special Chambers of Kosovo (DhSK) in The Hague, former UNMIK legal advisor Hansjeorg Strohmeyer, who goes by the code W02183, continues to testify in the trial of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi.
This witness was given a guarantee by the special court, which was mentioned today by the presiding judge of the court, Charles Smith III, but he said that “he should not have said that,” Oath for Justice reports.
“I also remind you that the assurances that were given to you on Thursday… I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that,” Smith said.
However, it was not disclosed what guarantee was given to this witness.
The questions to this witness were asked by Thaçi’s defense, represented by lawyer Luka Mishetiq, who focused on the formation of the Kosovo Transitional Council (KTK).
Regarding this structure, Strohmeyer explained that Thaçi only gave the names of the KLA. He also added that he did not want to include Serbs or other ethnic groups and wanted to minimize the influence of Kosovo Albanian groups such as the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
The witness denied that he knew that part of this structure consisted of internationals, but said that in addition to those who belonged to the KLA, there were other Albanians.
It was also decided that witness 02714 could testify via video link.
At this meeting, all defendants are present in the courtroom.
Otherwise, on September 30, 2022, the Special Prosecutor’s Office submitted the confirmed amended indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selim, which consists of ten counts, accusing the latter of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
On April 29, 2022, the Special Prosecutor’s Office filed an amended indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi, alleging that the four defendants also committed war crimes in Gjilan, Budakovo and Semetishte.
On November 9, 2020, Jakup Krasniqi and Hashim Thaçi pleaded not guilty to the allegations against them in their first appearances. Veseli said the same thing in his appearance on November 10th, as did Rexhep Selimi on November 11th.
The indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi was confirmed on October 26, 2020. /BetimipreDrejteşi
Remarks:
The persons referred to in this article are presumed innocent under the laws of the Republic of Kosovo until the final decision of the court.
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