Ex President Hashim Thaçi’s lawyer, Pierre Richard Prosper, stated today that “we will have a chance to show the truth about what really happened in Kosovo in 1999.”

He made these statements before the start of the testimony of the first defense witness, James Rubin, who during the war in Kosovo was the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State. Rubin will present his testimony in defense of the former president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi.

“The President thanks everyone for their support in this process. We are enthusiastic about today, because it will give us an opportunity to return to reality; we will have a chance to re-examine the truth about what really happened in Kosovo in 1999. This will be the beginning of a process where you will see new evidence that will show the President is not responsible for the charges brought against him, and I hope you will be present and report accurately on what happens here today,” he said.

Thaçi’s defense has not given details about the testimony, only adding that “if the Specialist Chambers listen to the truth, then we will have the possibility of a fair decision.”

“I don’t want to give details about the testimony, but again, this is our chance to hear the truth about what happened and to understand what the roles and responsibilities are... I hope [for a verdict]. If the Chambers listen to the truth, then we will have a possibility for a fair decision and one that shows our client is innocent,” he added before the media.

Today, the first defense witness will be heard at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.

James Rubin, who during the war in Kosovo was the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, will present his testimony in defense of former president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi.

This is the first defense witness for Thaçi, with the defense planning to bring around 11 witnesses to court. Afterwards, the trial will continue with witnesses called by the defense of the former Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Jakup Krasniqi.