The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague has rejected the request of Kadri Veseli’s defense team for temporary release. Chief Prosecutor Kimberly West, who comes from the United States, has presented her reasons why the former leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army should remain behind bars.
West has highlighted the risks related to witness intimidation, a continuing concern in this judicial process. Meanwhile, she also mentioned the date of September 16, when the final first-instance verdict is expected to be delivered, explaining that this short period does not make the detention unjustified.
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According to the Prosecutor, the approaching announcement of the judgment on September 16, 2026, does not constitute a fundamental change of circumstances that would require a review of the security measure or render it disproportionate. On the contrary, it shows that the pre-trial detention will only continue for another two months, a period considered absolutely necessary given the scope and complexity of the case and the gravity of the charges.
In her reasoning, West elaborated several key factors: first, the continuation of an atmosphere where witnesses feel threatened and increased public pressure due to the approaching verdict; second, the ongoing risk that Veseli might interfere with the course of justice or commit other criminal offenses; third, the fact that no alternative measure can eliminate these threats; and finally, the particularities of this case that the Trial Panel has already noted in earlier stages. All of these, according to her, mean that the remaining limited detention time cannot be considered excessive.
