(ANSA-AFP) – THE HAGUE, FEB 9 – The Hague war crimes trial
against Kosovo’s ex-president and former guerrilla leader Hashim
Thaci, along with three other senior rebel figures, began
hearing closing statements on Monday — the final phase before
it retires to deliver a verdict. All four face charges of war
crimes and crimes against humanity, over their alleged
responsibility for killings, torture and other abuses committed
by KLA members. Delivering the prosecution’s closing statement,
specialist prosecutor Kimberly West requested a single sentence
of 45 years for the crimes allegedly committed during the 1990s
war with Serbia. “The gravity of the charges has not diminished
with the passage of time,” West told the court. Thaci listened
to the proceedings, wearing a charcoal suit, a white shirt, and
a red tie. Closing arguments from all parties are scheduled for
this week and next — with Thaci and his co-accused expected to
begin delivering their statements later this week. Thaci was the
political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the
war against Serbia; the other three men held senior roles in the
rebel group. The hearing is scheduled to end by mid-February,
and the court will have a month further to deliberate before
delivering its verdict. That deadline could be extended by two
months under exceptional circumstances. Thaci, who immediately
resigned from the presidency after his indictment in 2020, and
his co-accused pleaded not guilty at the opening of the trial
four years ago. They are all expected to do the same in their
closing statements. Established by the country’s parliament, the
Kosovo Specialist Chambers investigates and prosecutes suspected
war crimes committed by ethnic Albanian guerrillas during the
war. Although part of Kosovo’s judicial system, it is physically
located in The Hague and staffed solely by international judges
and supporting staff in a bid to protect witnesses from possible
retribution at home. (ANSA-AFP).
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