“Directions and meetings with witnesses”, details from the new indictment of Thaci and conversations with Hajredin Kuci

In the indictment, Thaci, Smaj, Fazliu, Kilaj and Kuci “are reportedly charged with criminal acts linked to unlawful efforts to influence witness testimony to the trial of Thaci and others”.

“Z. Smaj, Mr. Fazliu and Mr. Kilaj was arrested on December 5th in Kosovo and transferred to the DHSK detention facility on December 6th, on the basis of the confirmed indictment and the warrants issued by the Kosovo Specialised Chambers Pre-Procedure Court. The Specialised Prosecutor's Office (ZPS) carried out arrests with the support of the European Union's Mission for Law Rule in Kosovo (EULEX)”.

The arrest issued by the Pre-Procedure Court is submitted to Mr. Thaci at the detention facility of Kosovo's Specialised Chambers on 5 December, under the confirmed indictment”.

“Heyredin Kuci was handed over to the confirmed indictment and the call to appear before the Pre-emptive Procedure Court, based on confirmed indictment, for the first appearance”, the statement said.

According to the confirmed Aktakuza, it is said that at least between 12 April 2023 and November 2nd 2023, “during the privileged visits to the detention facility, “Mr. Thaci was given Mr. Smaj, Mr. Kilaj, Mr. Fazliu and Mr. Kuci confidential information about SPS witnesses, instructions to influence the evidence of SPS witnesses and details about how they should do this<2>.

“Thaci co-ordinated three separate groups, formed with Mr. Smakaj, with Mr. Fazliu and Mr. Kilaj, and other people against whom no charges have been brought, as well as Mr. Kuci, aiming to influence the evidence of SPS witnesses in the context of the current war crimes trial Thaci and others”.

“In confirmed indictment, against Mr. Thaci has been pressed three counts of attempted obstructing official persons in carrying out official duties, through participation in a group's joint action; four counts of violations of the procedure's secrecy, and four counts of disobedience to court”.

Mr. Antix0... Fazliu, Mr. Smaj and Mr. Kilaj has been raised by a charge of attempted obstructing official persons in carrying out official duties, through participation in a group's joint action, and an accusation of disobedience to court”.

Mr. Antix0... Kuci has filed two counts of disobedience to court”.

In line with the DHSK Procedure and Tests Rule, the first presentation hearings for four of the accused in this court case, Thaci, Smaj, Fazliu and Kilaj are scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024, starting at 09:30, with Thaci's first presentation.

Details from the indictment, Thaci and Fazliu meeting

The prosecution specialised in the details of the indictment has claimed that when Fadil Fazliu visited Thaci, he has given confidential information about witnesses.

It says that Fazliu has been instructed what to convey to the witness.

This message, according to the Prosecutor, concerned what witness he would declare at The Hague.

July 2, 2023, Fadhil FAZIU visited Hashim T HACIN at the KSK Pre-migration Centre. During the visit, Hashim T HACI has provided confidential information for SPO witnesses in Thaci et al case. the case and offered detailed instructions that Fadhil FAZIU had to convey to the PSP witness how Witness 318x1> should testify, it says.

In addition, the indictment mentions agreeing that Fahri Fazliu meet a witness.

“HACI and Fadhil FAZIU also discussed the means by which THACI instructions should be provided, agreeing that Fadil's son FAZIU, Fahri FAZIU, contacted the Witness 1 to arrange a meeting. Fadhil FAZIU and Fahri FAZIU had met earlier with the Witness on June 1, 2023, after a text exchange on June 26, 2023. On July 3, 2023, Fahri FAZIU exchanged messages with the Witness 1 to arrange a meeting between Fahri FAZIU, Fadhil Witness 1 for later that day, in line with Hashim T's instructions HACIT for Fadhil FAZIU”, written in the published document.

At the Prosecution Centre, according to the Prosecutor's Office on September 3, 2023, Hajredin Kuci has also received instructions that he should submit to witnesses from Thaci.

While Kuci accepted the instructions in the conversation and confirmed that he met a witness.

On September 3, 2023, Hajredin KUCI visited Hashim T HACHIN at the Pre-burger Center. During the visit, Hashim T HACH gave detailed instructions for Hajredin to present to witnesses. Hajredin KUCI repeatedly confirmed and/or accepted Hashim T's instructions HACI regarding the witness's intervention and offered suggestions for instructions that the Witness and Witness 6. HEredin KUCI also confirmed that he had met with Witness 5 to discuss Witness testimony 5 on at least one occasion earlier”, it notes.

Hajredin Kuci's first appearance session is scheduled for Monday, December 9, 2024, at 10:00.

The opening sessions will be public and can be followed in Albanian, English or Serbian languages through the broadcast site on the DHSK website, with a ten-minute delay, or by the public gallery at the Court's headquarters.