Haxhi Shala today appears before Special

Haxhi Shala, one of the war commanders known as Topi”, will today be presented at the first session in Kosovo's Specialised Chambers (DHSK) in The Hague.

Haxhi Shala's first “Presentation is scheduled to be held on 13 December 2023 at 2:00 in the Kosovo Specialised Chambers Trial Hall (DHSK) in The Hague. The first presentation will be held at the public session. During the first appearance of the Pre-Precience Procedure Judge guarantees respect for the rights of the accused, including the right to judicial representation, and that the accused understand the charges filed against them”, the Special reports.

Unlike the Specialised Prosecutor's Office (ZPS) in Kosovo, Hadzi Shala arrested on the basis of a warrant for arrest and transfer issued by the Kosovo Specialised Chambers Pre-Procedure Judge.

In the ZPZ announcement, Shala has reportedly transferred to the pre-meditation target of Kosovo's Specialised Chambers in The Hague and will appear before Kosovo's Pre-Procedure Court without unnecessary delays.

The arrest is linked to crimes against justice administration. The European Union's Mission for Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX) provided operational and logistical support to SPS, in accordance with its mandate and under Kosovo legislation. Kosovo Police also provided operational support to SPS”, the report said.

The fact is that the Specialised Prosecutor's Office takes extremely seriously preventing justice and will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone and all those involved in any case, including those who fear or intervene in witnesses, or offer financial or any other form of criminal action.

Reports reportedly following the arrest of Haxhi Shala, Specialised Prosecutor Kimberley WEST (Kimberly W EST) confirmed that witness protection remains a priority for SPS.

“It is very important to ensure that Kosovo citizens speak truth and without threats to their experiences, not only that this institution is able to deliver justice but also for the rule of law in Kosovo”, W said EST.

“The SPS will continue to do everything within its power to protect victims and witnesses and to place those who violate Kosovo's laws for their private interests” accountable, she said.

Full Special Prosecution Act:

Haxhi Shala, through heavy rowing and joint action of a group of people she has attended, has attempted to prevent an official person -- a judge, a prosecutor, a court official, a prosecutor's officer, or a person authorised by the court and the prosecution -- in carrying out official duties, respectively.

As specified below, at least between April 5th 2023 and April 12, 2023, Shala, in association with other individuals, including Sabit Januzin and Ismet Bahitari, were co-ordinated as a group before and after personal approaches to witnesses 1 from Januz and Bahtari.

Concretically, Shala, Januzi and Bahtyar met individually with Witness 1 in order to push witness 1 to withdraw evidence or fail to give evidence in official procedures before DPS.

This behaviour demonstrates Shala's intention to undermine and undermine an official person in performing official duties.

Then, after summoning and verifying that witness 1 was at home, Bahhitari came to the house of witness Bahtiari told witness 1 that Shala had recently approached him and sent him to tell witness 1 that he should withdraw his testimony.

Bahtier left the witness's house and went to a nearby car where two men were waiting, with a third person in the driver's seat.

As a result of this approach, Witness 1 took an interest in his family's safety.

Later, on April 5, 2023, after Bahhitari had visited witness 1.

Shala and Januzi, and apart from Januzi and Bahhitari, engaged in numerous text and phone contacts, including contacts between Shala and Januzi, to coordinate a personal meeting at the same evening.

In the following days, Shala and Januzi, among other things, remained in contact, including telephone connections at least four times between April 6th and April 9, 2023.

On April 12, 2023, shortly after Shala called, Januz went to witness house 1.

At the witness's house 1, Januzi told witness 1 that Shala had asked Januz to continue his visit and find out what Witness 1 had planned to do and how the question of his testimony could be handled.

Concretically, Januzi told witness 1 that Shala had asked Januz to convey the message that if Witness 1 would withdraw his testimony, then Shala and other unidentified people would offer help. Witness 1 answered that if Shala and the others brought 200,000 euros, they would have a deal.

15. Witness 1 did not confirm or deny that he would continue to be a witness. JANUSIA said he would tell you what witness 1 had said.

16. Shortly after his visit on April 12, 2023 to Witness 1, Januzi called Shala again

17. As a result of the second approach, Witness 1 was further concerned about his safety and his family.

18. Shala (i) created serious fears and concerns for the person, Witness 1, who has or is likely to offer information about any crime or offense that falls under the jurisdiction of the DKC, in this way trying to discourage that person from providing (more) information about any crime under KSK jurisdiction; (ii) threatened the ability of the DSF/ The SPS to investigate and prosecute crimes effectively, including receiving and providing relevant witness testimony; and (ii) diverted SPS's resources and time to address the current and possible consequences for witness 1 and his family in connection with the formal procedures of the TSF.

The Special Decision You Can Find in English THESE.