The indictment filed on 30 October 2020 by the Specialist Prosecutor against the head of the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans’ Association Hysni Gucati and his deputy Nasim Haradinaj, were confirmed also by a pre-trial judge of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. According to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, “the charges contained in the confirmed indictment relate to a well-grounded suspicion that, between at least 7 and 25 September 2020, on the occasion of three press conferences and other broadcasted events, as well as through further dissemination, including by social media statements, Mr. Gucati and Mr. Haradinaj revealed, without authorisation, information protected under the law of the Specialist Chambers, including the identifying details of certain (potential) witnesses.”
The statements continue by suggesting that Gucati and Haradinaj “made disparaging accusations and remarks against (potential) witnesses and repeatedly expressed their intention to undermine the Specialist Chambers,” and by doing so, they “violated the secrecy of the proceedings, retaliated against and intimidated (potential) witnesses of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office and, as a consequence, obstructed its work and investigations.”
KSC notes that it “has jurisdiction to try individuals for criminal offences against the administration of justice when these relate to the Specialist Chambers’ official proceedings and officials”. The initial appearance of both Haradinaj and Gucati will take place on Friday 18 December, after Haradinaj appearance was postponed from the today schedule.
