Kosovo war veterans plead innocent to witness intimidation
ABC News
Prosecutors at a European Union-backed Kosovo war crimes court say that two leaders of a war veterans' association deliberately tried to undermine investigations by intimidating witnesses and publicizing leaked confidential documents
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- Prosecutors at a European Union-backed Kosovo war crimes court said that two leaders of a war veterans' association who went on trial Thursday deliberately tried to undermine investigations by intimidating witnesses and publicizing leaked confidential documents.
Hysni Gucati, who was chairman of the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans Association when he was arrested last year, and his deputy, Nasim Haradinaj, were charged with obstructing justice and intimidation for allegedly revealing information that included the identity of potential witnesses at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers court.
“Mr. Gucati and Mr Haradinaj are vocal opponents of this institution, denigrating anyone who would recognize or cooperate with the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, or the specialist prosecutor’s office as spies, collaborators and traitors who betrayed their fellow countrymen,” Specialist Prosecutor Jack Smith told judges.
Both men pleaded innocent in September 2020, and they told Presiding Judge Charles Smith III on Thursday that they were not guilty of all charges.