The former commander of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Salih Mustafa has been left in detention by the pre-trial judge of The- Hague based Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Kosovo Specialist Chambers notified on Monday that the pre-trial judge, Nicolas Guillou did not approve Mustafa’s defence request for a conditional release.
“The Pre-Trial Judge considers that the risks of flight, obstructing proceedings, and committing further offences can only be effectively managed from detention,” says the decision signed by Guillou.
The decision reads that this is particularly so “when Mr Mustafa’s position within the Kosovo security and intelligence apparatus affords him access to information and resources that will facilitate any attempts to flee, obstruct proceedings through the interference with victims and witnesses, or commit further crimes”.
Salih Mustafa is the first KLA member arrested by The- Hague based Kosovo Specialist Chambers which is set to try suspects for crimes committed during and after the Kosovo war.
Mustafa is charged with arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder. He pleaded not guilty on each count.
