Today, Jack Smith was appointed as the new Specialist Prosecutor (Chief Prosecutor) of the Kosovo* Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO).
Jack Smith from United States has extensive experience as a senior prosecutor with all aspects of criminal investigations and prosecutions. His extensive expertise and his management background will enable him to lead the investigations of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, as well as any criminal proceedings arising from them.
Mr. Smith follows David Schwendiman, who vacated his position as the first Specialist Prosecutor on 31 March 2018. The appointment of Jack Smith signals the continuing support by the European Union and contributing third countries for the work of the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in fulfilling their respective mandates. The appointing authority is the Head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo*.
The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office was established in September 2016 to carry out the investigations into allegations contained in the so-called Marty report to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in January 2011.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
