On Monday in the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo in The Hague, the trial against the former president of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi and the former officials Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Hajredin Kuçi and KLA veteran Fadil Fazlliu, who are accused of obstruction of justice, took place. Thaçi’s lawyer, Sophie Menegon, questioned the prosecution witness, whom the Special Prosecution said is part of its staff.
During the session, the lawyer focused on the procedures related to the witnesses in the case against Thaçi, who is awaiting the decision of the Special Court on the charges brought against him for war crimes and crimes against humanity, arguing that some of them have themselves made public the fact that they have been invited to testify in The Hague. She mentioned the name of Rustem Mustafa, known as Remi, and three others.
The lawyer’s statement was also confirmed by the prosecution witness’s answer, while the latter stated that they were not placed under protective measures, as they were public figures and had previously spoken publicly about that issue. The former president of Kosovo and 4 other former officials have pleaded not guilty to the charges of obstruction of justice. Even their defense lawyers have contested the prosecution’s claims.
According to the prosecutor’s office, Thaçi, during his visits to the detention center in The Hague in 2023, instructed and gave confidential information to the other accused in order to influence certain witnesses, including protected ones, to change their testimony in the trial where he, together with Veseli, Krasniqi and Selim, are accused of war crimes.
