November 27 appeal deadline approaches as legal experts doubt impact of proposed changes

November 27 is approaching, the date set by the Appeals Panel for the filing of notices of appeal against the judgment concerning former KLA leaders. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) says it is taking every possible step to support them.

The deadline was extended at the request of the defense teams for Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. The defense cited the complexity of the case and the time needed to translate the judgment into Albanian.

Among the PDK’s steps is an initiative to amend the Law on the Specialist Chambers. Before taking it further in the Assembly, the party is awaiting the Justice Ministry’s opinion. Legal experts say the law can be amended, but doubt whether changes would have an effect in the time remaining.

Lawyer Fehmije Gashi Bytyqi is skeptical that the initiative can be completed in time, stressing that the way the legislative process works must be taken into account. She says the Court of Appeals could make the judgment final or send the case back for retrial; in the latter case, the defense would gain time. In her view, the short timeframe poses a risk regardless of the decision, so the defense strategy should be strengthened.

Political scientist Mazllum Baraliu calls on Kosovo’s institutions to monitor the proceedings at the Specialist Chambers actively and continuously, alongside diplomatic efforts. He describes the Specialist Court as formally a Kosovo court but, in practice, an unprecedented substitute structure, and says no one can stop the process. Baraliu proposes a special body comprising the government, Parliament and the Foreign Ministry to lobby until the second-instance ruling and explain to the world that the ruling cannot and will not undermine the foundations of the state of Kosovo.

RTK asked the Specialist Chambers for comment on the PDK’s initiative to amend the law but received no response. Meanwhile, PDK lawmakers have warned that they will boycott all parliamentary committees until the initiative is brought before the Assembly.