Murati expects appeal against verdict for former KLA leaders

Sali Murati, an MP from the European Front, expects the verdicts handed down against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and his closest associates to be challenged through an appeal, TV21 reports.

According to Murati, the decision was issued at first instance and is not yet final. He stressed that, as legal experts have indicated, the possibility of appealing remains open.

The MP said there is confidence that the claims contained in the verdict will be reassessed in the interest of upholding the rule of law, legal certainty and the right to a fair and impartial trial.

Murati explained that there is no second-instance court operating there, but rather an Appeals Panel that reviews and rules on appeals. He added that only the sentences are currently known, while the full text of the verdict has not yet been made public.

“We believe that the claims in the verdict will be assessed and reviewed once again by the Appeals Panel in light of justice, proportionality and historical facts,” Murati said.