Pjeter Shala, member of so-called KLA, extradited to Hague for torture, murder and crimes in Kukes

Pjeter Shala; Photo: Facebook/Pjeter Shala

A former member of the so-called KLA ("Kosovo Liberation Army") Pjeter Shala was extradited to The Hague yesterday from Belgium, where he was arrested on March 16 on the order of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (special court), based in The Hague.

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Pre-trial judge Nicolas Guillou confirmed the indictment against Shala on June 12, 2020, and its redacted version was published last night in accordance with the rules of that court on the judge's order for security reasons, reports Tanjug.

The confirmed indictment states that Shala is charged with various forms of individual criminal responsibility for war crimes including arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder committed in the context of and in connection with the non-international armed conflict in Kosovo.

The crimes for which Shala is accused were committed between May 17 and June 5, 1999, against persons detained in Kukes, Albania, in a metal works factory which, according to the indictment, was used by the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army, the court in The Hague announced.

Another indictment also charges KLA chiefs Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi for crimes committed in Kukes, based on command responsibility.

The court added that information about the date and time of the first appearance of Shala before the pre-trial judge will be published soon.

First appearances before the court take place in public sessions and can be watched on the website of the Specialized Chambers.

Last night, the court invited Shala's victims to apply to the court to formally obtain that status in the process that will be conducted against him.

(Telegraf.rs)