The publication of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s indictment while he was on a trip to the White House suggests that prosecutors feared he could negotiate some kind of amnesty during the Kosovo-Serbia talks, according to Bodo Weber, Senior Associate at the Democratization Policy Council from Berlin.
Thaci and former Speaker of Parliament Kadri Veseli have been indicted by Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Weber told RFE/REL that Thaçi’s efforts to reach a land swap deal with Serbia “have been the best indication that he would be charged.”
He linked the publication of indictment by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office to the scheduled meeting at the White House to resume Kosovo-Serbia talks on June 27.
“This seems to confirm the background information that since the beginning of the negotiations [Thaçi] has been interviewed several times by representatives of the Prosecution, about which, unlike other politicians in Kosovo, he has not informed the public. However, the unusual release of information on the indictment before confirmation by the Court suggests that this is related to the Saturday talks at the White House and the fear of the prosecutor that President Thaçi intends to negotiate some kind of amnesty,” Weber said.
He suggested that it is necessary to wait and see what complications this will have for the continuation of talks.
The issue was raised in the public opinion a few months ago, but President Thaci indirectly denied supporting an amnesty as part of a potential deal with Serbia.
Thaçi announced he had aborted his trip to Washington D.C. and was returning home.
Prime Minister Abdullah Hoti is expected to represent Kosovo in talks at the White House.
