Doyle: Thaçi and Veseli’s detention extended due to risk of witness tampering

The spokesperson for the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, Michael Doyle, stated for Kosovo Online that the detention of former KLA leaders Kadri Veseli and Hashim Thaçi has been repeatedly extended, not due to flight risk, but because of concerns over obstruction of justice and witness interference.

"As you can see, every two months, the trial panel reviews whether there are justified reasons to extend detention. So far, the judges have focused on their decisions on the risk that the accused could interfere with justice or influence witnesses. Therefore, it is more about obstruction of justice rather than the risk of flight," Doyle noted.

When asked whether the new U.S. administration has any influence or attempts to influence the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, Doyle responded that he could not comment on such matters.

"I cannot comment on that. I can only speak about the cases, and I can say that the judges are dedicated to handling cases in accordance with the law. That is our focus," Doyle stated.

The health condition of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi has been a topic of media discussion in recent weeks.

"The Kosovo Specialist Chambers are obliged to protect the personal rights of individuals in detention. Therefore, we are not in a position to disclose health-related information unless the detainee provides consent. What I can say is that it is not unusual for someone to miss a day of trial because they do not feel well. I can confirm that Thaçi continues his daily activities within the detention facility and that he was present in court this week," Doyle concluded.