A pre-trial judge of the Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) confirmed the indictment against the head of the Kosovo Liberation Army Veterans’ Organization Hysni Gucati and his deputy, Nasim Haradinaj.
The KSC confirmed that charges contained in the confirmed indictment relate to a “well-grounded suspicion that, between at least 7 and 25 September 2020, on the occasion of three press conferences and other broadcasted events, as well as through further dissemination, including by social media statements, Mr. Gucati and Mr. Haradinaj revealed, without authorization, information protected under the law of the Specialist Chambers, including the identifying details of certain (potential) witnesses”.
The statement issued by the KSC reads that Gucati and Haradinaj also made disparaging accusations and remarks against (potential) witnesses and repeatedly expressed their intention to undermine the Specialist Chambers.
“By these actions, Mr Gucati and Mr Haradinaj violated the secrecy of the proceedings, retaliated against and intimidated (potential) witnesses of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office and, as a consequence, obstructed its work and investigations,” it reads.
It notes that KSC has jurisdiction to try individuals for criminal offences when related to the court’s official proceedings and officials.
Gucati and Haradinaj were arrested on September 25 after they announced in three separate occasions of having anonymously received investigation files leaked from the Specialist Prosecutors Office.
They had accused the war crimes court of bias, and of having collaborated with Serbia in their investigations.
KSC confirmed that the initial appearance as an accused of Haradinaj will take place on Tuesday, while Gucati will be brought before court on Friday, December 18.
The Hague- based tribunal was established following a 2011 Council of Europe report in which Swiss Senator Dick Marty addresses the alleged crimes of “members of the Kosovo Liberation Army against ethnic minorities and political rivals” from January 1998 until in December 2000.
The formation of this court required constitutional changes, which were approved by the deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo.
