Kosovo’s first war crime suspect appeared before Hague judges

Gazeta Express

28/09/2020 16:00

The first person indicted by the Hague-based prosecutors, Salih Mustafa, appeared Monday before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) judges in The Hague.

The Initial Appearance held in the courtroom of the KSC was aired online with a short delay by Kosovo media.

The indictment against Mustafa, a former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), was confirmed on 12 June 2020. He was arrested by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) on 24 September and transferred to the Detention Facilities of the KSC in The Hague on the same day. The indictment charges Salih Mustafa of individual criminal responsibility for Arbitrary Detention, Cruel Treatment, Torture and Murder, war crimes under international law.

Mustafa in the Initial Appearance has not entered a plea saying that he needs to consult his defence lawyer first. During Monday’s session the pre-trial judge asked Mustafa if he wants to enter the plea or decide to do this within a 30-days deadline as set by the Law on Specialist Chambers. /GazetaExpress/