A soldier from Kosovo who helps train Ukrainian army personnel has denied three charges of sexual offences in the UK.
Bali Hoxha, 28, who was part of the West Tofts camp in Thetford, Norfolk, is accused of rape and two counts of sexual assault on a woman, writes BBC.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeThe alleged attack took place along a footpath between Prince of Wales Road and the Riverside Retail Park shopping centre, at around 11.30pm on September 17, in Norwich.
Hoxha has been remanded in custody by the Crown Court in this city until the start of the trial on April 7, which is expected to last five days.
Hoxha is a member of the Kosovo Security Force, but has been contracted to train Ukrainian soldiers at the British Army training ground near Thetford, under a contract with the Ministry of Defense.
He only confirmed his name during his court appearance, but defense attorney Jonathan Goodman said that while his English was sufficient for the plea hearing, an Albanian interpreter would be required for the trial and any mediation sessions.
Also, three witnesses, who are also members of the KSF, will need interpreters when the hearings are held.
The court was told that it is likely that those witnesses will be engaged in Kosovo at the time of the trial, but the KSF will release them to attend the hearing.
In a response to KOHA, the KSF said that it acted based on legal acts and suspended the soldier.