James Rubin, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State during the Kosovo war, continued his testimony today in defense of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi. The session at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, based in The Hague, Netherlands, started at 09:00.

On the second day of his testimony, Rubin was accompanied by a U.S. representative. Meanwhile, he explained that the United States initially described the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) as “an organization carrying out terrorist activities” until it understood the situation better.

Rubin said, “Perhaps we violated the wish to always be on the side of the angels. For a period, until we understood the situation, we described the KLA as an organization carrying out terrorist activities. Of course, we did not want to support or encourage them. Later, this position changed over time, especially after the KLA agreed to the Rambouillet agreement. Then we considered them on the side of the angels because they signed the peace agreement.”

The former U.S. official expressed concern over the long detention of former KLA leaders. He said they voluntarily surrendered. Rubin added, “I am concerned that [former KLA leaders] have been held for so long in pre-trial detention. Meanwhile, they surrendered voluntarily.”

He continued, “Considering the developments, I think this is wrong. This is not justice. I have thought, read, and spoken with lawyers. They told me this is unusual treatment for a statesman who surrendered voluntarily.”

Rubin’s testimony continues under questioning from Special Prosecutor James Pace.

On Monday, Rubin recalled meetings with the former Kosovo president. He rejected claims that Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, or other KLA leaders executed or killed people. Previously, under questioning by Jakup Krasniqi’s lawyer, Venketasëari Alagenda, Rubin said that Serbs have always tried to blame the KLA.

Rubin is the first defense witness for Thaçi. The defense plans to present around 11 witnesses in total. Afterwards, the trial will continue with witnesses for Jakup Krasniqi, former Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly.

Alongside Thaçi and Krasniqi, former Speaker Kadri Veseli and former MP Rexhep Selimi also face trial. Their lawyers do not intend to present defense evidence. The Special Prosecutor’s Office charges them with alleged war crimes. It stated they were part of a “joint criminal enterprise.”

Meanwhile, Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi, and Selimi pleaded not guilty to all counts.

The defense’s evidence presentation comes four months after the Special Prosecutor’s Office concluded with its witnesses. The prosecution brought 125 witnesses to court and relied on more than 130 written statements.

The defense denies all charges. It argues that the KLA did not have an organized command structure.

The indictment against former KLA leaders became public in autumn 2020. Since then, they have remained in pre-trial detention in Scheveningen, The Hague. The trial began in April 2023.

Specialist judges expect the KLA defense to submit final briefs by December 22 of this year.

/k.s./