Live update

New Prosecution witness commenced the testimony in the Thaçi et al. trial this morning. This is witness W02082, who was, according to the Prosecution, abducted and detained by KLA members in the area of Prizren in June 1999.

Today’s hearing is adjourned and the trial of Thaçi et al. will continue on Monday, 29 January, at 09:00.

Here is the transcript of today's KSC Weekly Press Briefing.

On 25 January, the Supreme Court Panel issued two decisions in relation to the potential request for protection of legality in the case of Salih Mustafa.

In the first decision, the Panel determined that Venkateswari Alagendra did not notify Trial Panel II (in which Jakup Krasniqi is accused and whom she also represents) that she intended to represent Mustafa, as is required by the Article 28(4)(1)(b) of the Code of Conduct, to obtain the Trial Panel’s determination on whether a conflict of interest exists. Accordingly, the Panel declared that the appointment of Alagendra as new counsel to Mustafa has no legal effect and ordered the Registrar to appoint duty counsel to represent Mustafa until the matter has been resolved.

In the second decision, the Panel dismissed the Mustafa Defence’s request for an extension of time to file its request for protection of legality as Venkateswari Alagendra at the moment has no standing to file any request on behalf of Mustafa, including the request for an extension. Furthermore, the Panel also noted that, even if Alagendra had standing, the time lines provided in the Law (requests for protection of legality are to be filed within three months from the final judgment) cannot be varied by the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

Prosecution witness Dejan Jeftić, from the area of Suharekë/Suva Reka in Kosovo, is now back in the courtroom to resume his testimony, that commenced on 11 December last year. He is currently cross-examined by the Defence of Hashim Thaçi.

On 24 January 2024, the Trial Panel in the P. Shala case decided to admit into evidence, pursuant to Rule 132 of the Rules, a number of documents concerning the accused’s criminal record (they are currently classified as confidential). The Panel considered them necessary for the determination of the sentence, in case of a conviction in this case, as per Rule 163(3) of the Rules.

In the same decision, the Panel also granted, in part,  the admission of more the Defence’s evidence and ordered the SPO/Defence to file any request for rebuttal/rejoinder evidence by 26 January.

Here is the full decision.

SPO’s protected witness W04489 resumes the testimony this morning.

Please be informed that the hearing tomorrow (25 January) in the trial of Thaçi et al. will begin at 09:30. 

The SPO’s 41st witness W04489 will resume the testimony this morning. Please note that the trial is on an unplanned break at the moment and it should resume at about 09:50 (or 10:35 in the delayed feed online).