Decision on former KLA leaders, chief judge: there were no crimes against humanity

The Chief Judge of the Trial Panel, Charles L. Smith, said that there were no crimes against humanity by the four KLA leaders. “With regard to the existence of a widespread attack against the civilian population as a condition for a crime against humanity, the Trial Panel found that the SPO has failed to prove that this widespread attack against the civilian population was carried out,” said the presiding judge.

Earlier, he said that this judicial case does not concern the legitimacy of the KLA, but only individual responsibility.

Explaining what the object of the judicial process is, Smith emphasized that the case concerns the actions and conduct of the accused, and not the assessment of the KLA or its political goal.

“This judicial case concerns the actions and conduct of the accused related to this matter. It does not concern the legitimacy of the KLA and its goal for an independent Kosovo,” he stated.