The Hague, the prosecutor requests a 6-year prison sentence for Hashim Thaçi, the defense requests his release
The Specialist Prosecutor's Office (SPO) has requested that former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi be found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison for obstruction of justice in the case against him and three other former KLA superiors for war crimes and crimes against humanity before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.
Thaçi's defense, on the other hand, argued that the SPO did not present evidence that justifies the sentence sought against him and said that he should be acquitted of all charges.
Specialized prosecutor Joshua Hafetz said during the presentation of closing statements that "the charges that the SPO has brought and proven are crimes."
"The attempt to interfere and obstruct the judicial process in this court represents a threat to the proper administration of justice," said Prosecutor Hafetz.
But Thaçi's defense attorney, Sophie Menegon, disputed Hafetz's claims, saying that the SPO is seeking a sentence for Thaçi "because it needs to cover up and justify the extremely intrusive measures that have been taken against Mr. Thaçi for months."
"So, the secret recording of all his conversations and phone conversations and non-privileged conversations, including with his wife and son," Menegon said.
She emphasized that "the evidence is weak, their accusations are weak, whether legally or factually, and these justify Thaçi's acquittal from all charges brought."
In the first session of the presentation of closing statements, only Thaçi is present in the courtroom, while the other defendants are following the session via video link.
The defense and prosecutors will have three days to present their closing arguments in this case, which is related to the trial against Thaçi and three other former KLA leaders. REL
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