During the second day of the Defence Preparation Conference in the Shala case today, Trial Panel I issued a number of directions and oral orders organising the presentation of evidence by the Defence. Below are some of them:
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Referring to Rule 137 (relevancy of evidence) as well as Rule 143(4), which speaks about effectiveness and the avoidance of undue consumption of time and resources, the Panel ordered the Defence to remove five names from its witness list. Accordingly, the Defence is to file its revised list of witnesses by 29 August 2023.
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The Panel allocated 40,5 hours to the Defence to present its case. The SPO is allocated the same amount of time as effectively used by the Defence for the cross-examination of each Defence witness while the Victims’ Counsel will have 25% of the time effectively used by the Defence.
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The Panel announced that the Defence case will open in the week of 18 September and the exact date will be communicated in due course.