Live update

On 27 August 2024, the Pre-Trial Judge in the case against Januzi et al. rejected the Bahtijari Defence's request for an extension of time to file its updated pre-trial brief. Judge Masselot found that the Defence did not demonstrate that the extension is warranted and reminded all Defence teams that they should submit their pre-trial briefs by September 2, as instructed in her previous decision.

In another ruling, Judge Masselot also rejected Haxhi Shala's request to sever the case against him from that against Januzi and Bahtijari and have a separate trial. In reaching her decision, the Judge noted that separate trials would inevitably increase judicial time and resources and would jeopardize the rights of the accused to be tried within a reasonable time.

This morning, the Prosecution’s 81st witness in court W04764 continued the testimony, which began yesterday.

This morning, protected witness W04764 began testifying as the 81st SPO witness in court. According to the Prosecution, the witness was a KLA member present in Kosovo and Albania in 1998 and 1999.

Please be informed that the court schedule for the Thaçi et al. trial from January to May 2025 is now accessible on our online Court Calendar.

Following the completion of Skender Zhitia's testimony, today’s hearing in the Thaçi et al. case is adjourned. The trial will resume tomorrow, 27 August, at 09:00, with the testimony of another SPO witness.

Skender Zhitia is the next witness for the Prosecution, whose testimony commenced this morning. As per the Prosecution's summary in court, the witness was a member of the KLA in the Llap operational zone during the relevant period. He later authored a book on the military history of the KLA in that zone. This is the 80th witness called by the SPO in court.

As per the Trial Panel's decision in the Thaҫi et al. case that we informed about yesterday (21 August), the KSC Registrar terminated the services of Ben Emmerson and appointed Rodney Dixon as the new Lead Counsel for Kadri Veseli.

Here is the Registrar's notification.

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

On 21 August 2024, the Trial Panel in the Thaçi et al. case approved the termination of Ben Emmerson's role as Kadri Veseli's Counsel. Both Veseli and Emmerson agreed to this decision, leading the Panel to approve the termination due to good cause. The Panel was also satisfied that the continuity of Veseli’s representation will be ensured and that the change of Lead Counsel will not result in any delays in the proceedings.

The decision will take effect once a new lead counsel is appointed and the KSC Registrar is invited to take all necessary steps to do so as soon as practicable.

More details in the decision.

Another KSC weekly press briefing will take place on Thursday, 22 August, 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.