Spokesperson's statement from the Specialist Chambers sparks reactions in Kosovo

Specialist Chambers spokesperson Angela Griep stated in a video address that the Hague-based Specialist Chambers do not hold an exclusive mandate to deal with every war crime committed in Kosovo. She stressed that the Specialist Chambers have a specific mandate from the state of Kosovo and the European Union, and that a fair and independent process will be guaranteed in every case confirmed by the court.

"For every charge that has been confirmed, the court will ensure an impartial, fair and independent trial, in which the accused will have their rights, witnesses are protected and victims have their say."

The Specialist Chambers spokesperson's statement comes as a verdict is expected in the case of the former KLA leaders.
Ismail Tasholli, a representative of the "Freedom Has a Name" platform, said he expects an acquittal, while accusing international courts of selective prosecutions and investigations.

"It is clear that international courts have conducted selective and politically motivated trials," Tasholli told RTV21.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi raised concerns that international courts have, to date, prosecuted and convicted more Albanians than those who actually committed war crimes.

"More Albanians — who were the victims — have been convicted of war crimes than Serbs — who were the aggressors," Selimi told RTV21.

Selimi also directed criticism at Kosovo's institutions, which he said had not done enough to support the four former KLA leaders.

"The fact that the Court and the Prosecution in some way engaged in a rewriting of history is something that must stop once the Hague Court proceedings are concluded. I am simply sorry that the previous governments — Kurti I and Kurti II — were so little engaged in challenging what the Court has produced, and that the Kosovo Assembly's Committee on Legislation never summoned the court's president to appear before parliament, before the relevant committee, in a closed session — because this court was established by the Kosovo Assembly. I therefore believe that in recent years we failed to do what was necessary to prevent the historical narrative, the historical account, from being shaped by bureaucratic figures inside the Specialist Chambers."

The trial of the four former KLA leaders has concluded, and the final verdict is expected on 20 July./RTV21/21Media