Ganimete Musliu, a member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), has stated that the Kosovo Assembly must urgently convene and debate the Special Court following the new indictment confirmed last night against the former President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi.
“The Parliament of Kosovo must urgently convene and debate the Special Court in The Hague and say STOP to political persecutions,” Musliu wrote.
Details from the new indictment against Hashim Thaçi, Hajredin Kuçi, Bashkim Smakaj, and others
In the new indictment, Thaçi faces three charges related to attempting to obstruct official duties by participating in a joint action with a group; four charges for violating the confidentiality of procedures, and four charges for disobedience to the court.
According to the indictment, Thaçi instructed Kilaj, Smakaj, Fazliu, and Kuçi to influence the testimonies of prosecution witnesses, providing them with details on how to carry out this action, reports the online newspaper Reporteri.net.
The indictment also reveals that Thaçi coordinated three distinct groups, formed with Smakaj, Fazliu, and Kilaj, and other individuals against whom charges have not been brought, as well as with Kuçi, with the aim of influencing the testimonies of prosecution witnesses.
The indictment, published by the Specialist Chambers, provides details about the “operation of Thaçi’s three groups.”
It states that Thaçi, during visits, provided the other accused individuals with information on how to send messages to witnesses to influence their testimony. The indictment claims that the accused confirmed or agreed with Thaçi’s instructions to obstruct justice.
“According to the confirmed indictment, at least between April 12, 2023, and November 2, 2023, during non-privileged visits to the detention facility, Mr. Thaçi gave Mr. Smakaj, Mr. Kilaj, Mr. Fazliu, and Mr. Kuçi confidential information related to witnesses of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, instructions on how to influence their testimonies, and details on how this should be done,” the indictment states.
The Specialist Chambers’ indictment divides the groups into: the “Smakaj,” “Fazliu,” and “Kilaj” groups.
According to the indictment, these groups were created with the aim of influencing the testimonies of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office witnesses in the context of the ongoing war crimes trial involving Thaçi and others.
