The U.S. has granted approval; Wesley Clark takes the witness stand

“According to the Order of the Trial Panel dated 2 September 2025, the defense of Mr. Hashim Thaçi informs that approval has been obtained from the U.S. government authorizing the statement and testimony of the final witness, 1DË-007, General Wesley Clark,” states a filing by Thaçi’s lawyer, Luka Mišetić, as reported by the portal Oath for Justice (Betimi për Drejtësi).

As previously announced, Clark is expected to testify as the defense’s last witness.

According to the filing, Clark indicated that he cannot travel to The Hague before 17 November 2025, so his testimony could begin on 18 or 19 November 2025.

Additionally, the defense requested that 21 November be reserved as an extra day if needed to complete Clark’s testimony.

The defense also requested an amendment to the list of evidence to include Clark’s statement.

“Regarding the justification, the defense seeks to add this statement to the list of evidence so that it can be submitted under Rule 154. Admission under this rule would save courtroom time and ensure that the presentation of witness 1DË-007’s evidence is focused and not duplicated or repeated. As described below, 1DË-007 provides highly relevant and exculpatory evidence significant to the issues in this case. For this reason, the statement is sufficiently relevant and important to justify its inclusion on the list of evidence,” the filing states.

• The trial of the so-called former KLA leaders continued in The Hague
• Continuation of the trial of the former leaders of the KLA on September 29, Duncan concluded his testimony

In its filing, the defense states that Clark will testify about NATO’s efforts to implement the October 1998 agreement between Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Slobodan Milošević.

“1DË-007 is a retired four-star general in the U.S. Army who served as NATO Supreme Allied Commander from 1997 to 2000. He will testify regarding NATO’s leadership in implementing the Holbrooke–Milošević agreement of October 1998, enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1199, conducting the air campaign against Yugoslav forces after Milošević refused to sign the Rambouillet agreement, deploying forces in Kosovo in accordance with the Military-Technical Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1244, as well as overseeing the demilitarization and transformation of the KLA,” the document states.

Additionally, Clark is reported to have knowledge of violence against Kosovo refugees and internally displaced persons during the summer of 1999.

“1DË-007 describes his knowledge of the wave of violence during the summer of 1999 following the return of Kosovo refugees and analyzes the causes of that violence, emphasizing that he did not believe KLA leadership was involved in a coordinated attempt to attack Serbs or minorities,” the filing reads.

The document also notes that Clark will describe his interactions with the KLA, the Kosovo delegation in Rambouillet, and specifically with Thaçi, whom he said did not have control over the KLA and was merely a political figure “without military experience,” explaining why it would be unfair to attribute to him the mistakes or abuses of others.