Thaci et al. case: new indictment to be filed today
The Pre-Trial Judge in the Thaci et al. case yesterday, 29 September, granted the request of the Specialist Prosecutor to withdraw the allegations of crimes in Ferizaj/Uroševac municipality from the indictment. Recalling that the SPO was previously ordered to further amend the current indictment by 30 September 2022, the Pre-Trial Judge, in the interest of efficiency, ordered the SPO to reflect this withdrawal of charges in the further amended indictment, which is still to be filed until the same deadline (Friday, 30 September 2022). Here is the full decision.
KSC Weekly Press Briefing on 29 September
Another KSC weekly press briefing will take place on Thursday, 29 September at 14:30. During this briefing, the KSC Spokespersons will provide a short update on the latest developments in the judicial proceedings before the KSC, as well as on other public activities of the Court. Journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions. Pre-registration is required to attend each briefing. To pre-register, please send an email with name and affiliation to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-registration is every Thursday at 12:00. The Zoom details will be shared following pre-registration. Recordings of the update provided during the Weekly Press Briefings will be made available on the KSC YouTube Channel.
KSC Weekly Press Briefing on 22 September
Another KSC weekly press briefing will take place on Thursday, 22 September at 14:30. During this briefing, the KSC Spokespersons will provide a short update on the latest developments in the judicial proceedings before the KSC, as well as on other public activities of the Court. Journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions. Pre-registration is required to attend each briefing. To pre-register, please send an email with name and affiliation to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-registration is every Thursday at 12:00. The Zoom details will be shared following pre-registration. Recordings of the update provided during the Weekly Press Briefings will be made available on the KSC YouTube Channel.
Six new victims admitted to the proceedings in the Shala case
On 19 September 2022, Pre-Trial Judge Guillou issued a third decision on victims' participation in the case against Pjetër Shala. Six new applicants were admitted to the proceedings as participating victims and they will be included in the existing group of victims (Group 1 with two persons previously admitted) and shall be represented by the same Victims' Counsel.
Appeals Panel grants Gucati custodial visit to Kosovo
Due to compelling humanitarian grounds, the Appeals Panel has instructed the Registry to manage a custodial visit to Kosovo for Hysni Gucati to meet immediate family. Hysni Gucati remains in detention and in the custody of the Specialist Chambers. EULEX and the Kosovo Police are supporting the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
President constitutes Trial Panel in the Shala case
Following the notification of the Pre-Trial Judge on 15 September 2022 that the Shala case file will be ready for transmission to a Trial Panel on 21 September 2022, the KSC President assigned the case to Trial Panel I, consisting of Judges Roland Dekkers, Mappie Veldt-Foglia, Gilbert Bitti and Vladimir Mikula (reserve judge).
Mustafa trial: closing statements completed/judgment in due course
During her statement on reparations today, the Victims’ Counsel in the Mustafa case asked the Trial Panel to order the accused to pay compensation to the participating victims in this case individually as well as the forfeiture of any assets used for or deriving from the commission of any established crimes. The closing statements in this case are completed, which marks the end of this trial. The Panel will render its judgment in due course. The hearing scheduled for tomorrow, 16 September, is cancelled.
Defence’s closing statement completed, seeks acquittal on all counts for Mustafa
At the end of its closing statement today, Salih Mustafa’s Defence asked the Trial Panel to acquit the accused of all the charges. The hearing resumes with the responses by the SPO and the Victims’ Counsel.
Transmission of Shala case file to Trial Panel on 21 September
The Pre-Trial Judge today, 15 September, notified the President that the case file in the case against Pjetër Shala will be ready for transmission to the Trial Panel on 21 September 2022.
Thaci et al: PT Judge’s decision re. disclosure
On 26 August 2022, the Pre-Trial Judge in the Thaci et al. case rejected the requests by the Thaci and Krasniqi Defence in relation to an alleged non-compliance with disclosure obligations on the part of the SPO. Finding that the Defence’s requests do not amount to a non-compliance of the SPO disclosure obligations under Rule 103 of the Rules, Judge Guillou nevertheless strongly urged the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office to abide by its obligation regarding the disclosure of exculpatory materials and to prioritize disclosure of such material over other competing deadlines and materials. Furthermore, the SPO is ordered to provide a disclosure report, by 7 October, with the explanation about the difficulties faced in fulfilling its Rule 103 disclosure obligations. More details in the public redacted version of the decision, filed on 13 September.