The announcement from the Office of the Specialist Prosecutor that a new indictment has been raised against Hashim Thaçi has sparked strong reactions in Kosovo. The charge of obstruction of justice against the former president of Kosovo is being seen as another instance of political persecution.
High-ranking officials from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), representatives of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) Veterans Association (OVL-UÇK), and former KLA commanders have criticized the actions of the Special Court.
They have called for justice and transparency for the former KLA leaders, stating that the actions of the Special Court in relation to them are undemocratic.
PDK President Memli Krasniqi expressed his concerns about the new indictment.
“The latest announcement from the Office of the Specialist Prosecutor, stating that President Hashim Thaçi has been added another indictment for obstruction of justice, while he has already been in detention for four years, raises concerns about the approach and focus of these judicial proceedings. These concerns are further exacerbated by the arrest of three other individuals, as well as the summons for Mr. Hajredin Kuçi to appear before the Specialist Chambers,” he wrote on his Facebook profile.
He also raised a critical question regarding the case.
“We strongly support the principles of justice and accountability, but a simple and critical question arises tonight: Does this process of justice reflect the impartiality and professionalism that Kosovo, its citizens, and our liberators in The Hague deserve? We all know that our liberation war was just, noble, and rooted in the universal right to freedom and dignity. Any attempt to give a different direction to this truth risks undermining not only the legitimacy of justice but also the heritage of a sacred war for freedom,” he wrote.
Former KLA commander Daut Haradinaj was even more outspoken, calling for the dissolution of the Special Court.
“The Special Court was created in the Kosovo Parliament, and the Parliament of Kosovo is the highest body that should dissolve it. Let’s unite your votes in the next elections, we will dissolve it. Enough is enough!” he wrote on his Facebook profile.
Faton Klinaku, acting chairman of the OVL-UÇK, also described the new indictment against Thaçi as absurd.
“It’s absurd to raise an indictment against someone for obstruction of justice when they are already in detention. This only happens in the banal Special Court,” Klinaku wrote.
What does the indictment say?
The Office of the Specialist Prosecutor has filed charges against former president Hashim Thaçi, alleging he obstructed justice.
In a press release following Thursday’s operation, the Office of the Specialist Prosecutor (ZPS) announced that it had arrested Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, and Fadil Fazliu.
The statement also mentioned that a summons for Hajredin Kuçi, former Minister of Justice, had been issued.
“ZPS files charges against Hashim THAÇI for criminal acts of obstructing justice; arrests Bashkim SMAKAJN, Isni KILAJ, and Fadil FAZLIUN in Kosovo; and issues a summons for Hajredin KUÇI to appear,” the announcement reads.
The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (ZPS) stated that it had raised charges against Hashim Thaçi for obstruction of justice, based on a confirmed indictment.
Mr. Thaçi was in the Detention Facility of the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo when he was served with an arrest warrant. He faces three charges for obstructing official duties, three charges for violating procedural confidentiality, and four charges for disobeying the court.
He will appear before a Pre-Trial Judge of the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo regarding the additional criminal charges filed against him, the announcement states.
Furthermore, the ZPS informed that Smakaj, Kilaj, and Fazliu had been transferred to the Detention Facility in The Hague and will appear before the Court, while Hajredin Kuçi was issued a summons, facing two charges for “disobeying the court.”
“The ZPS has arrested Bashkim SMAKAJN, Isni KILAJ, and Fadil FAZLIUN in Kosovo, based on arrest warrants and transfer orders issued by a Pre-Trial Judge of the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo for attempting to obstruct officials in performing their duties and disobeying the court.
Smakaj, Kilaj, and Fazliu have been transferred to the Detention Facility of the Specialist Chambers in The Hague and will appear before the Court without undue delay.
Hajredin KUÇI has been issued a summons to appear before the Specialist Chambers, where two charges of disobeying the court have been raised against him,” the announcement concludes.
