Trial

Pjetër Shala was allegedly a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) stationed in Kukёs, Albania. The alleged crimes with which Shala is charged with took place between approximately 17 May 1999 and 5 June 1999 against persons detained at the Kukёs Metal Factory in Albania, allegedly used by the KLA. On 21 September 2022, the Pre-Trial Judge transmitted the case file to Trial Panel I. The trial commenced on 21 February and the SPO closed its case on 6 July 2023. On 21 August 2023, the Victims' Counsel presented evidence. The Defence Preparation Conference took place on 24 and 25 August 2023. On 15 September 2023, the Panel denied the Defence motion to dismiss the charge of murder (count 4), pursuant to Rule 130 of the KSC Rules of Procedure and Evidence. The Defence case commenced on 20 September 2023. On 15 January 2024, the Defence of Pjetër Shala notified about the official closure of its case. The evidentiary proceedings in this case were closed on 9 February 2024 and the closing arguments took place from 15 until 17 april 2024. There are 8 participating victims in this case.

The case involves four alleged former senior officials of the Kosovo Liberation Army: Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The indictment states that the crimes charged were committed from at least March 1998 through September 1999 and took place in several locations across Kosovo as well as in Kukës and Cahan, in Northern Albania. On 10 May 2022, during their further appearances, all four accused pleaded not guilty to the new charges in the amended indictment. On 15 December 2022, the Pre-Trial Judge transmitted the case file to Trial Panel II. The trial preparation conference took place on 18 January 2023, followed by the Specialist Prosecutor's Preparation Conference on 15 February. The trial commenced on 3 April 2023 with the opening statements of the Specialist Prosecutor and the Victims' counsel, followed by the Defence teams on 4 and 5 April 2023. There are 143 participating victims in this case.