Categories: World

EU-backed court upholds most convictions of 2 Kosovo veterans

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for February 2

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

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 found guilty last year of witness intimidation and obstructing justice.

The appeals panel of the Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers 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 the ruling Thursday, judges said that it is “fundamental to the fulfilment of the Specialist Chambers’ mission that individuals who come to give evidence, often about traumatic or difficult experiences, may do so without fear.”

Gucati, who was chairman of the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans Association, and Haradinaj, his deputy, were arrested in September 2020 for revealing case information, including the identities of hundreds of witnesses and potential witnesses.

DUTCH AUTHORITIES ARREST SUSPECTED ISLAMIC STATE SECURITY CHIEF

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, retaliation against witnesses and obstruction of justice.”

The special court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the actions of the KLA during the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo.

Prosecutors have indicted several people, including former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, on charges of murder, torture and persecution. All have denied the charges. The trial of Thaci and other defendants is scheduled to begin March 1.

A special Kosovo court has upholded most of the convictions of the two veterans found gulity of obstructing justice and witness intimidation.
(Fox News)

Witness intimidation has been a major problem in international prosecutions of crimes committed during Kosovo’s fight to break away from Serbia.

Whiting said his office “takes these crimes extremely seriously and will continue to investigate and to prosecute anyone and everyone involved in every instance.”

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Whiting’s linked prosecutor’s office were established following a 2011 report by the Council of Europe. The human rights organization’s report included allegations that Kosovo Liberation Army fighters trafficked human organs taken from prisoners, slain Serbs and fellow ethnic Albanians.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The court, established in The Hague in part as a response to fears for the safety of witnesses, is part of the Kosovo legal system.

Share

Recent Posts

NY Dem Rep. Ritchie Torres dubs Gov. Kathy Hochul ‘the new Joe Biden,’ warns of potential 2026 election loss

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., referred to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul as "the new Joe…

2 minutes ago

‘A lot of waste’: Blackburn and Ramaswamy talk DOGE cuts

FIRST ON FOX: Vivek Ramaswamy, who was recently tapped by President-Elect Trump to head the…

2 minutes ago

White House insists Biden, Harris have ‘one of most successful administrations in history’ despite 2024 loss

Just weeks after Vice President Kamala Harris’ overwhelming loss to President-elect Donald Trump in the…

3 minutes ago

Special Counsel Smith seeks to dismiss Jan. 6 charges against Trump

Special Counsel Jack Smith is asking a judge to drop all charges against President-elect Donald…

3 minutes ago

Russia tricks Yemeni men to fight in Ukraine under Houthi scheme: report

close Video Video shows US strike of Houthi target in Yemen CENTCOM released video of…

2 hours ago

Israel ‘moving forward’ on possible Hezbollah cease-fire, official says

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 25 Fox News Flash top headlines…

2 hours ago