The opening statements in the trial against the former president of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, the former minister of Justice, Hajredin Kuçi, the former head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, Bashkim Smakaj, the former mayor of Malisheva, Isni Kilaj, and the veteran of the KLA, Fadil Fazliu, who are accused of obstruction of justice, are being held today in The Hague.
Prosecutor Joshua Hafetz stated that Hashim Thaçi targeted witnesses who posed a danger or threat to him. According to the prosecutor, Thaçi used the other 4 accused in order to achieve his goal. The prosecutor argued that his statements will be supported by evidence.
“The intention was to neutralize each of these threats in order for Thaçi to evade justice. The evidence will show that as soon as the case (for war crimes) began, Thaçi focused on preventing the testimony of witnesses who could damage his defense. Thaçi had two types of witnesses. The first were the KLA insiders, whom Thaçi specifically identified, who he thought were decisive in judging him, who should speak about the structure of the KLA and Thaçi’s leadership role. The second type were victim witnesses who could implicate him”said the prosecutor.
Furthermore, prosecutor Hafetz accused Thaci of violating the rules of detention and confidentiality of the SC, because according to him, he turned it into a “center of obstruction”.
The five accused, on their part, after being questioned by the judge, rejected the charges and declared themselves innocent.
At the beginning of the session, the Prosecution of the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo, during the presentation of the indictment, charged Hashim Thaçi with 11 counts for committing criminal offenses against the administration of justice.
The prosecution said that he is accused of three criminal offenses against public order and eight charges of criminal offenses against the administration of justice and public administration. According to the prosecution, Thaçi tried to obstruct officials in the performance of official duties, violated the confidentiality of the procedure and is accused of disobeying the court.
The other three accused, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj and Fadil Fazliu, are charged with obstruction of official persons in the performance of official duties, violation of the confidentiality of the procedure and disobedience to the court.
Hajredin Kuçi, on the other hand, is accused of two counts of the criminal offense of disobeying the court.
In addition to the audio recordings, the Prosecutor’s Office has warned that it will also present electronic evidence, including data from seized mobile phones, which, according to the Prosecutor’s Office, confirm the recorded conversations of the accused, as well as physical evidence, including documents related to the targeting of witnesses for interference, which were confiscated at the residences of some of the co-accused.
Three Prosecution witnesses are scheduled to testify during the trial, including expert testimony regarding the provenance of the seized documents and a witness who will testify regarding the examination of electronic devices seized during the investigation.
The judge of the Specialized Chambers in The Hague, Christopher Gosnell, according to RTK, said that the witnesses must finish their testimony by March 6, while closing arguments are expected to be presented on March 13.
After the completion of this part, the ZPS will decide on the date that will conclude the entire judicial process in The Hague for the former leaders of the KLA.
