The testimony of Dutch national Koen Herlaar is mostly being held in private session.

The forensic expert at the Netherlands Forensic Institute spoke about the examination they conducted on “document 4213”. He confirmed that the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office had requested the examination of the document based on microdots.

During questions from the lawyer of Bashkim Smakaj, Jonathan Elystan Rees, the witness said that not all pages were fully examined, but only three of them.

He further stated that the requesting institution had asked for an opinion on whether the pages of this document had been printed from the same printer.

Witness: The first question that was asked, that was asked of us, was that we were requested to review, to examine documents based on microdots, and we asked the requesting institution whether we had to examine all the pages or a sample of the pages. We told the requesting institution that there were two options, and I do not know whether it was the cost aspect or there were other aspects, because we were given the answer that we were given, but they told us how to proceed further.

Lawyer: As a result, from these 10 pages, you did not examine seven of them, is that correct?

Witness: Yes.

Lawyer: So you cannot confirm at all the presence of microdots on these seven pages that you did not examine. Is that correct, witness?

Witness: Yes, that is correct.

Lawyer: Nor can you confirm whether the pattern of the microdots, if microdots were present on these seven pages, matched or were the same as the microdots on the three pages you examined, is that so?

Witness: “Yes, that is correct,” the Dutch witness replied.

The testimony of the forensic expert will continue after the lunch break at 14:30, and the hearing is broadcast with a 45-minute delay.

The hearing of this witness began in the morning at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

This is the second witness in the trial against Hashim Thaci, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuci on charges of obstruction of justice.

Hashim Thaci, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuci, who are accused of obstruction of justice, have pleaded not guilty before the trial panel.

The Prosecution claims it possesses evidence, including audio recordings from the Detention Centre in The Hague.

Defence lawyers have challenged these claims, stating that the Prosecution’s evidence does not prove the commission of the criminal offences they are charged with.

Hashim Thaci and the others are accused under allegations that during visits in 2023 in The Hague they gave instructions and confidential information to witnesses regarding the war crimes trial.