Hashim Thaci’s Lawyer: This Verdict Is Not in ‘the Name of the People of Kosovo’ — Responsibility Has Been Pinned on Thaci

Hashim Thaci’s lawyer, Pierre Richard Prosper, reacted before the media after today’s verdict, expressing his concern about how the trial was conducted and the evidence taken into account.

Prosper said that, in his view, the verdict was pre-prepared and that during the trial a version of history was presented in which the main responsibility was placed on Hashim Thaci.

Prosper also called on international institutions, including NATO and the U.S. State Department, to review the charges relating to the four former KLA leaders, mentioning also the cooperation which, according to him, existed with Albanians during 1999.

“This was pre-planned, the decision that was made. From what we heard today, history has been rewritten; it was an organized structure and all responsibility fell on Hashim Thaci. This has been a bad day for Kosovo… Because which state would consciously sign to allow the signing of a court and know what awaits it? NATO, the U.S. department and other bodies must review the charges against the four KLA leaders because they must also look at the cooperation with Albanians that they had in 1999. We have academics who were never on the front line… there was not the testimony of each person who was beside the four every day and described the obligations they had. I spoke with Thaci and he is extremely grateful for the support he is receiving from the people,” he said.

The lawyer praised the support Hashim Thaci is receiving from citizens, saying the former president is “extremely grateful” for the people’s backing.

“I could get in trouble for saying this, that during the session it was said ‘In the Name of the People of Kosovo’ and this verdict is not in ‘the Name of the People of Kosovo.’ I think Kosovo must look at this entire process in detail and in fact this court is a cooperation between the European Union and Kosovo… I am shocked by the fact that the evidence brought by the defense team was not taken. I think Kosovo is the one that must make decisions. Decisions that are for the good of the people and not let others make decisions in the name of the people of Kosovo,” he added, among other things.