Live update

In the case of Pjetër Shala, the Court of Appeals Panel granted the Defence's request for an extension of time, setting the deadline for the Defence to submit its notice of appeal against the Reparation Order to 28 January 2025. The same timeline applies to the Victims’ Counsel, should he choose to file a notice of appeal. Further information can be found in the public redacted version of the Panel's ruling issued today, 17 January.

Here is the transcript of today's KSC Weekly Press Briefing.

Another KSC weekly press briefing will take place on Thursday, 16 January, at 14:30. During this briefing, the KSC Spokespersons will provide a short update on the latest developments in the judicial proceedings before the KSC, as well as on other public activities of the Court. Journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions. Pre-registration is required to attend each briefing. To pre-register, please send an email with name and affiliation to [email protected]. Deadline for pre-registration is every Thursday at 12:00. The Zoom details will be shared following pre-registration. Recordings of the update provided during the Weekly Press Briefings will be made available on the KSC YouTube Channel.

Following the completion of the testimony of the SPO's witness W04500, the trial in the Thaçi et al. case has adjourned for the day and the week. The trial will resume on Monday, 20 January 2025, at 09:00

The video-link testimony of the SPO’s 113^th witness W04500, which began yesterday, has resumed this morning.

After receiving an invitation from the Pre-Trial Judge during the status conference on 17 December 2024, Bashkim Smakaj has submitted his written plea, which was made public today, 14 January. He entered a plea of not guilty to each count in the indictment.

Following Hashim Thaci's plea we informed about earlier, every accused in this case has now declared a not guilty plea concerning the charges.

Protected witness W04500 has begun testimony, which is conducted via video link. According to the SPO summary in court, this witness was arrested in 1999 by armed KLA members and then taken to a detention site where he was subjected to mistreatment.

The Trial Panel announced in court today that, as per parties’ agreement, the prior statements of witness Sokol Dobruna have been tendered into evidence instead of the testimony in court, pursuant to Rule 155(1) of the Rules. As a result, the Panel notified the witness that his testimony was no longer required and allowed him to leave, after which the trial took a break, with a new SPO witness anticipated to take the stand next.

Sokol Dobruna is the new SPO witness, whose testimony commenced this morning. This testimony is being conducted through a video link, with the witness receiving assistance from a duty counsel at a remote location. As announced by the Presiding Judge, the testimony of this witness will, unless otherwise indicated, adhere to a modified schedule that concludes daily at 12:30. Additionally, the Panel has instructed that, following the recommendation of the KSC Witness Protection and Support Office, all parties should implement the adjusted questioning approach for this witness whenever feasible. This includes pacing the questioning to facilitate the witness's memory recall and to minimize repetitive or leading questions.

Following the completion of the testimony of witness Goodwin, the trial in the case of Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi adjourned for today. The trial will resume tomorrow, 14 January, at 09:00.