The Specialized Chambers in The Hague filed a new indictment on Friday against the former president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi. He is also accused of criminal offenses related to obstruction of justice. Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj and Fadil Fazliu have also been arrested for the same crimes, as the Special has announced. While Hajred Kuçi has been issued a summons to appear next Monday.

"In the indictment, the accused are accused of criminal offenses related to allegations of illegal attempts to influence the testimony of witnesses in the trial of war crimes Thaçi and others. Mr. Smakaj, Mr. Fazliu and Mr. Kilaj were arrested on December 5 in Kosovo and transferred to the DHSK detention facility on December 6, based on the confirmed indictment and arrest warrants issued by the Pre-Trial Judge of the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo. The Specialized Prosecutor's Office (SPO) carried out the arrests with the support of the European Union Mission for the Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX)," the statement of the Specialized Chambers in The Hague states.

It is further stated that the arrest warrant issued by the Judge of the Preliminary Procedure was delivered to Mr. Thaçi in the detention facility of the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo on December 5, based on the confirmed indictment.

"Hajredin Kuçi was handed the confirmed indictment and the summons to appear before the Judge of the Preliminary Procedure, based on the confirmed indictment, for the first appearance. 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 about ZPS witnesses, instructions to influence the testimony of ZPS witnesses and details of how they should do this," the announcement states. .

"The indictment further claims that Mr. Thaçi coordinated three separate groups, formed with Mr. Smakaj, with Mr. Fazliu and Mr. Kilaj, and other persons against whom no charges have been filed, as well as with Mr. Kuçi, with the aim of influencing the testimonies of ZPS witnesses in the context of the current trial for war crimes against Thaçi and others", the Special informs.

Also according to this announcement, in the confirmed indictment, against Mr. Three charges have been filed against Thaçi for attempting to obstruct official persons in the performance of their official duties, by participating in the joint action of a group; four charges of breaching the confidentiality of proceedings, and four charges of disobeying the court. Against Mr. Fazliu, Mr. Smakaj and Mr. Kilaj is charged with one charge of attempting to obstruct official persons in the performance of official duties, by participating in the joint action of a group, and one charge of disobeying the court. Against Mr. Kuçi has been charged with disobedience to the court.

"In accordance with the Rules of Procedure and Evidence of the DHSK, the hearings of the first appearance for four of the accused in this court case - Mr. Thaçi, Mr. Smakaj, Mr. Fazliu and Mr. Kilaj - are scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024, starting at 09:30, with the first appearance of Mr. Thaçi", it says at the end of the announcement.

The former mayor of the Municipality of Malisheva, Isni Kilaj, Bashkim Smakaj, the former adviser to the president Hashim Thaçi and the former member of the KLA, Fadil Fazliu, were transferred today to The Hague, from the EULEX offices, where they were kept by yesterday.  

https://kosovapress.com/te-arrestuarit-nga-specialja-nisen-per-ne-hage