Prosecutor: The accused commit crimes to gain power

Periskopi

3 April 2023, 10:47(3 years ago)

The specialised prosecutor, Alex Whiting, declared before the court that Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi committed war crimes to gain power during the war. He said Monday that the accused committed crimes and promoted the conduct of crimes during the war, while added that the international community was also informed of this. [...]

The specialised prosecutor, Alex Whiting, declared before the court that Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi committed war crimes to gain power during the war.

He said Monday that the accused committed crimes and promoted the conduct of crimes during the war, while added that the international community was also informed of this.

The accused were included in the implementation of this policy, including by appointing commanders and structures. The evidence will show that the policy was put in place, from the beginning to the end of the war, from the north and south, and there was practice marking opponents. The criminal intent of targeting opposers was not secret. The message reiterated who claimed who was a traitor posed a threat to”, he said.

According to Whiting, in the last 20 years, it has been required that victims and their family silence and not talk about crimes, but, according to his claims, this was not easy for those who have experienced pain.

It's easy to say this when you're not a victim, but for victims raised in the indictment, damage and trauma are something that live daily. They always carry it on their shoulders. Victims have the right to be tried and to establish justice”, he said.

The specialised prosecutor, Alex Whiting, added that Thaci had gone to The Hague several times and was interviewed by the Special Prosecutor's Office for his role in the Kosovo Liberation Army.

“Hashim Thaci came to The Hague several times in secret to give the SPS video-intelligated interview. During these interviews, he denied much with his role in war and the role of the KLA. He claimed that the General Staff had no post until November 98, and even before that date, only existed on paper. He denied knowing the bans. The evidence will show that these claims are false”, he added.