TIRANA, February 18 – The Specialist Chambers of Kosova in The Hague held the final hearing before the verdict in the case against former leaders of the Kosova Liberation Army. With this session, the process entered its closing stage.

The four former senior officials of the Kosova Liberation Army presented their final statements before the trial panel.

Former President Hashim Thaci stated that there is only one truth and that he is completely innocent. At the beginning of his address, he congratulated Albanians on the anniversary of independence. He noted that the court has heard the prosecution’s accusations for nearly three years, while it has also heard what he described as the truth. According to Thaci, that truth confirms his full innocence.

Speaking about early 1998, Thaci said that he was a student in Zurich at the time of the massacres. He stressed that he did not plan to take control of Kosova, whereas, in his words, the only person who sought control was Slobodan Milosevic.

After witnessing the violence in his country, he said, he chose to return to Kosova instead of remaining indifferent. He described that decision as a source of pride and said he has no regret. He added that the accusations offend the memory of the heroes and thousands of victims, as well as the efforts of NATO, with which, he stated, they cooperated closely.

In conclusion, Thaci reiterated that his only adversary was Slobodan Milosevic. Although he faced uncertainty about seeing his family again, he returned to his homeland to risk his life for freedom. In his account, power and control at that time remained in the hands of Slobodan Milosevic.

/a.p./