The first witness in the “Thaci 2” case, who is a staff member of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office, is continuing his testimony under protective measures.
Hashim Thaci’s lawyer, Sophie Menegon, asked the witness with code 7 why protective measures were not imposed on him during Rrustem Mustafa’s testimony in the case against the former KLA leaders.
His testimony began on Friday, the same day the trial in this case began.
Hashim Thaci, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuci are present in the courtroom.
Lawyer: Rrustem Mustafa, he testified in case 06 in July 2023, after an agreement for the acceptance of the fact between the parties, according to your statement P168, he did not have protective measures. Is that correct?
Witness: Correct.
Lawyer: Do you know why there were no protective measures for him?
Witness: This morning I explained how the prosecutor decides on protective measures, if the person is public and well-known, if the person has previously testified in public hearings in an open manner, in international courts, in the International Tribunal or international court, for Mr. Mustafa, he has previously testified in an open manner and is a very well-known person and a well-known figure in Kosovo”, answered the first witness in this case.
Before the trial panel, Menegon also showed a document, where it was stated that in 2018, Arianit Koci in the capacity of Rrustem Mustafa’s lawyer had announced that he would be voluntarily interviewed by the prosecution.
Lawyer: Is it correct that this article states that on December 6, 2018, Mr. Mustafa through his lawyer would be voluntarily taken to The Hague for an interview, is this information correct?
Witness: “Correct”, he said.
This document Thaçi’s lawyer requested to be registered as court evidence, which was opposed by the Prosecution.
Furthermore, in the courtroom, the witness said that Mustafa was questioned in the capacity of a suspected witness.
The five accused of obstruction of justice have pleaded not guilty before the trial panel.
The defense lawyers have also opposed these claims, saying that the Prosecution’s evidence does not prove the commission of the criminal offenses they are accused of.
Hashim Thaçi and the others are accused under the allegations that during their visits in 2023 to The Hague, they provided instructions and confidential information to witnesses for the war crimes trial.
