Prime Minister Edi Rama shared on Facebook the defense statement of former KLA political leader Hashim Thaçi at the Specialized Chambers in The Hague. He described the statement as reason facing international folly.

A day earlier, Rama had called the Special Prosecution Office’s claims international folly. The Special Prosecution Office (SPO) argued that Thaçi misled international representatives several times. Rama noted that these claims affected perceptions of the KLA’s command structure and operations.

The defense argued that Thaçi remains legally presumed innocent at this stage. They reminded the court that four men stand before it, all presumed innocent under the law.

The lawyers explained that the Special Prosecutor presented evidence claiming beyond reasonable doubt that the accused are guilty. They added that the case has run for over five years. During this time, the defense engaged in a process designed to test the SPO’s evidence.

The defense stressed that the trial does not examine Thaçi’s life. Instead, it tests the SPO’s claim that he should lose his presumption of innocence. They noted that the court should start with the assumption that Thaçi is innocent.

The lawyers stated that the court should later assess whether the Special Prosecutor’s evidence proves guilt beyond reasonable doubt. If the SPO fails to convince the court, or if an alternative reasonable explanation exists, the defense said the court must find that the SPO failed. The lawyers concluded that the court should then issue a release decision.

/a.p./