Appeals judges at a European Union-backed court on Thursday upheld most of the convictions of two leaders of a Kosovo war veterans’ association who were convicted last year of witness intimidation and obstruction of justice.
The Hague-based Chambers of Specialists in Kosovo appeals panel overturned one conviction of Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj, but upheld four others. Their original sentences of four and a half years were reduced by three months.
In Thursday’s ruling, the judges said that it is “fundamental to the fulfillment of the mission of the Special Chambers that people who come to testify, often about traumatic or difficult experiences, can do so without fear.”
Gucati, who was president of the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans Association, and Haradinaj, his deputy, were arrested in September 2020 for disclosing information in the case, including the identities of hundreds of witnesses and potential witnesses.
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Acting Special Prosecutor Alex Whiting welcomed the ruling, which he said “reinforces the rule of law in Kosovo and sends a clear message to anyone involved in witness intimidation, witness retaliation and obstruction of justice.” .
The special court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity related to KLA actions during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo.
Prosecutors have charged a number of people, including former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, with charges of murder, torture and persecution. All have denied the charges. The trial of Thaci and other defendants is scheduled to begin on March 1.
A special court in Kosovo upheld most of the sentences of the two veterans found guilty of obstruction of justice and intimidation of witnesses.
(FoxNews)
Witness intimidation has been a major problem in international proceedings for crimes committed during Kosovo’s struggle to secede from Serbia.
Whiting said his office “takes these crimes extremely seriously and will continue to investigate and prosecute all involved in every instance.”
The Chambers of Specialists in Kosovo and the Whiting-linked prosecutor’s office were established following a 2011 Council of Europe report. The human rights organization’s report included allegations that Kosovo Liberation Army fighters trafficked in human organs harvested from prisoners, murdered Serbs and fellow ethnic Albanians.
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The tribunal, established in The Hague in part in response to fears for the safety of witnesses, is part of Kosovo’s judicial system.
