The Specialized Chambers of Kosovo (DhSK) in The Hague, by means of the decision taken on July 26, 2022, the former Speaker of the Parliament of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, who is being accused by the Office of the Specialized Prosecutor (ZPS) of war crimes, have continue the measure of detention.
The pre-trial judge, Nicolas Guillou, has found that there is still a risk of escape, as well as a risk of obstructing the progress of the Specialized Chambers' proceedings.
"The judge of the preliminary procedure concludes that the risks that Mr. Veseli will flee, obstruct the proceedings of the Specialized Chambers, or commit further crimes against those perceived as opponents of the KLA, including witnesses who have provided or may provide evidence in this case and/ or will be presented to the Specialized Chambers, continue to exist", the decision states.
Also, it is said that the judge of the preliminary procedure finds that neither the conditions already proposed nor any other condition imposed by the judge of the preliminary procedure would sufficiently mitigate the risk that Veseli will hinder the progress of the procedure of the Specialized Chambers or commit further crimes .
On April 29, the Office of the Specialized Prosecutor submitted an amended indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selim and Jakup Krasniqi.
The prosecution is claiming that the four accused have also committed war crimes in Gjilan, Budakovo and Semetishte.
In the annex published regarding the crimes that allegedly took place in Semetishte and Budakovo, the prosecution has listed war crimes such as illegal or arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel or inhumane treatment, torture, murder. Meanwhile, as crimes against humanity, it has listed imprisonment, other inhuman acts, torture, murder, forced disappearance of persons and persecution.
However, for the crimes he claims took place in Gjilan, he has listed illegal or arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel or inhumane treatment, torture and murder as war crimes. While, as crimes against humanity, it has listed imprisonment, other inhuman acts, torture, murder and persecution.
On November 9, 2020, in their first appearances, Jakup Krasniqi and Hashim Thaçi pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Veseli stated the same in his appearance on November 10, as did Selimi on November 11.
The indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi was confirmed on October 26, 2020.
According to the indictment, at least between March 1998 and September 1999, Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, Jakup Krasniqi and other members of the joint criminal enterprise had the common goal of securing and exercising control over all of Kosovo through methods that included the intimidation, ill-treatment, use of violence and illegal elimination of those considered opponents.
Furthermore, Azem Syla, Lahi Brahimaj, Fatmir Limaj, Sylejman Selimi, Rrustem Mustafa, Shukri Buja, Latif Gashi and Sabit Geci are also mentioned in the indictment.
According to the indictment, the accused together with other KLA leaders contributed to the achievement of the common goal. /Oath of Righteousness