Kosovo’s former president and ex-political representative of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Hashim Thaci, has pleaded not guilty to all war crime charges during his first appearance in the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Hague. “The indictment is invalid, and I plead not guilty to all charges,” Thaci said.
David Hooper, lawyer Thaci, during the initial appearance has asked the prosecutor of the case and the pre-trial judge of the Specialist Chambers what has happened with the allegations on organ trafficking which led to the establishment of the special court.
“Where are the allegations on organ trafficking, because these were very important on establishment of this court,” Hooper asked at the courtroom.
The indictment against Hashim Thaci was confirmed on 26 October 2020. He was arrested by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) on 5 November 2020 and transferred to the Detention Facilities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague on the same day. In addition to Thaci part of the same indictment are leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Kadri Veseli, Nisma member Jakup Krasniqi and Vetevendosje MP Rexhep Selimi.
The indictment charges Hashim Thaçi, under various forms of criminal responsibility, with war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law. /GazetaExpress/