Former UNMIK advisor: According to Resolution 1244, the KLA should not have existed, but we addressed Thaçi for all political matters

Former UNMIK legal advisor Hansjörg Strohmayer stated in The Hague that, based on their understanding of Resolution 1244, no other organization performing quasi- or semi-state functions should exist, whether it's the KLA or any other group, reports Koha.

"According to us, there should not be any other organization performing quasi- or semi-state functions, whether it's the KLA or any other group. For us, there could not be any other organization that could perform functions such as detentions, arrests, trials, judicial proceedings, or could not perform functions of a ministry constituting a state or government under normal conditions. Thus, in our opinion, this also related to the intelligence service. For us, this was clear and that was our stance," Strohmayer said.

At the time he left Kosovo, in August 1999, the witness mentioned that a process of demilitarization of the KLA had ensued.

He added that he does not remember which uniforms the members (FARK) wore and that he cannot distinguish whether they wore their own or those of the KLA.

Responding to supplementary questions from Veseli's representative, attorney Rodney Dixon, the witness stated that their role was transitional and it was clearly made known to them that they were there to create an institutional framework together with international organizations.

Before that, according to Judge Genael Metro, General Mike Jackson had stated that, as he understood, Thaçi's role and power were comparable to that of a commander-in-chief, reports Pledge for Justice.

The judge said that Jackson had described Agim Çeku as the highest-ranking military officer in the KLA at the time and as Thaçi's subordinate.

Strohmayer, during his testimony in The Hague, stated that it was always clear to him that Hashim Thaçi was involved in all political matters.

"I believe I have mentioned this before and I saw in the documents that Mr. Thaçi had signed a commitment as the commander-in-chief. Therefore, from our civilian interactions with him, we did not consider Mr. Thaçi as the main military commander. Mr. Jackson had a different conversation and a different reality that was in the military setting and perhaps that aspect was presented to Jackson by Thaçi in this manner. It was always clear to us. It was always clear to me that Mr. Thaçi was involved in all political matters or when we were discussing the composition of the Kosovo Transitional Council (KTC), when we scheduled meetings, spoke about including KLA members in the police forces. These meetings were always scheduled with Mr. Thaçi, and on one occasion, he came along with Mr. Çeku. For us, this was the reality. Mr. Thaçi was the person we had to address," Strohmayer said.

On the other hand, regarding Agim Çeku, the witness added that from a functional perspective, he was the highest military officer they contacted for technical aspects.

Meanwhile, at a meeting allegedly held in July 1999 regarding the police forces, Strohmayer stated that

Thaçi told them that Agim Çeku was the person to whom they should speak.

"What I understood was that 'in relation to these matters, deal with this person,' which reinforced the perception that this was the leader in these circumstances... and then that person was the one dealing with these technical issues or more specialized issues regarding this matter," the witness said.

Strohmayer says that for internationals, the Provisional Government of Kosovo did not exist legally.

The witness also emphasized that they did not consider any regulations or decisions of this government.

Therefore, according to his words, they had no value from a legal standpoint. He even claimed that this applied to the appointments made by this government.

Strohmayer stated that it is accurate to say that they did not address Thaçi and Agim Çeku based on the positions they might have held in the Provisional Government of Kosovo.

The Specialist Prosecutor's Office filed a confirmed amended indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, and Rexhep Selimi on September 30, 2022, consisting of ten counts, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi, and Jakup Krasniqi was confirmed on October 26, 2020.