Live update

The Haradinaj Defence resumes the examination-in-chief of its first witness Nasim Haradinaj.

Today, Kadri Veseli was transferred back to The Hague and has arrived at the Detention Facility of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.

The Defence of Nasim Haradinaj begins its presentation of evidence today. Its first witness is the accused Haradinaj.

Due to compelling humanitarian grounds, the Pre-Trial Judge has instructed the Registry to manage a custodial visit to Kosovo to meet family. The Accused remains in pre-trial detention and in the custody of the Specialist Chambers. EULEX and Kosovo Police are supporting the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.

The Court of Appeals today issued its decision on the appeals, filed by the SPO and all four accused in the Thaci et al. case, against the Pre-Trial Judge’s decision from 22 July 2021 in relation to the KSC jurisdiction. In his decision, the Pre-Trial Judge rejected most of the Defence’s motions but did partially grant the motion by Veseli and consequently ordered the SPO to file an amended indictment excluding the JCE III liability for the special intent crimes. In today’s decision, the Court of Appeals Panel rejected all five appeals except Ground 1 of the SPO’s appeal, in relation to which the Panel found “that the applicability of JCE III as a mode of liability for special intent crimes before the Specialist Chambers does not qualify as a jurisdictional question” as per Rule 97 and that this question can instead be raised during trial.

On 17 December 2021, the Specialist Prosecutor filed, as strictly confidential and ex-parte, its pre-trial brief as well as the witness and exhibit lists in the case against Thaci et al. The relevant filing informing of this submission is available here.

As announced in our Court Calendar, next status conference in the case against Pjetër Shala is scheduled for 14 January 2022 at 14:30. More details in the scheduling order.

As announced in our Calendar, the winter court recess at the KSC begins on Monday, 20 December 2021 and ends on 7 January 2022. During this period, no hearings are held, except in exceptional circumstances, and some non-essential services are reduced to a minimum. However, the court remains fully functional during this period and work continues across all sections of the KSC. Filings are possible during the recess.

Another KSC weekly press briefing will take place on Thursday, 16 December, 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.

On 15 December, Pre-Trial Judge Guillou issued the first decision on victims' participation in the case of Pjetër Shala. One applicant was admitted to the proceedings as a participating victim and the Pre-Trial Judge directed the Registrar to assign Victims’ Counsel by 28 January 2022. Here is the link to the decision.