The Hague- based Kosovo Specialist Chambers continued detention for the former commander of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Salih Mustafa.
Risk of flight, risk of obstructing the progress of Specialist Chambers proceedings and risk of committing further crimes, are listed as reasons why the pre- trial Judge, Nicolas Guillou ordered Mustafa’s continued detention.
Salih Mustafa was Commander of a BIA guerrilla unit, which operated within the Llap Operational Zone of the KLA.
Salih Mustafa is the first Kosovo citizen to be before the Specialist Chambers with a confirmed indictment. His was the first arrested by The Hague-based court in late September.
The indictment against Mustafa was confirmed on 12 June 2020, charging him on the basis of individual criminal responsibility and superior criminal responsibility with crimes committed by certain KLA members against persons detained at the Zllash detention compound.
He is charged with arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture and murder. He pleaded not guilty on each count.
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office were established in August 2015, by the Kosovo Parliament to investigate crimes allegedly committed during and just after the war 1998- 2000.
The Chambers are part of Kosovo’s judicial system but staffed by internationals and located in The Hague.
