IPAK – the Institute for National Advancement – has sent a letter to the institutions of the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, as well as to the presidents of the United States, France, Germany and Italy. In it, a full appellate review of the trial against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi is requested.
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The signatories call on the appeals instance to carefully analyse the first-instance judgment and the key evidence. They say that if, after review, the individual responsibility of the four accused is not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, the law requires their release.
The letter raises concerns about how the evidence and defence testimonies were assessed, the credibility of certain testimony, exculpatory evidence, and the link between specific incidents and individual responsibility. According to the authors, the actions of individuals on the ground do not in themselves constitute proof of criminal responsibility of political leaders or the General Staff.
The authors also seek clarification on Dick Marty’s 2011 report and the distinction between his claims and the charges later brought against Thaçi, Veseli, Krasniqi and Selimi. International institutions are asked to make clear which initial claims have been verified and how they influenced the establishment of the Specialist Chambers.
The document also mentions the protection that Swiss authorities have provided to Dick Marty. The signatories consider that this matter should be investigated further, but stress that they have not found sufficient evidence to assert as fact that Marty’s report was fabricated by Serbia in cooperation with Russia.
IPAK calls for an independent and transparent assessment of the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. This assessment, according to the letter, should include reviewing the treatment of Prosecution and defence evidence, verifying claims of procedural irregularities, and publishing a report with findings.
The institute also proposes the establishment of an Independent Oversight Commission. Its composition would include representatives of Kosovo institutions, international criminal law experts, representatives of the Council of Europe and EU institutions, as well as international human rights organizations.
The letter calls for equality before justice in the handling of war crimes in Kosovo. The authors call for the investigation and criminal prosecution of anyone against whom there is credible evidence of crimes committed during the war, regardless of affiliation or side in the conflict.
The document also mentions the testimony of international officials and diplomats Wesley Clark, James Rubin, Christopher Hill and John Duncan about the structure and functioning of the KLA during the war. According to the letter, this testimony is important for assessing authority and effective control over KLA structures.
IPAK reiterates that after a full appellate review, the four former KLA leaders must be released if their individual guilt is not proven under the criminal standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The letter underlines that the judgment of 16 September 2026 is a first-instance ruling and is not final.
In conclusion, the authors call on international institutions to guarantee impartial justice, transparency and equal treatment for victims and the accused. They clarify that they are not seeking privilege or immunity, but individual criminal responsibility, verifiable evidence and fair proceedings.
