Witness Kurtaj in Special: Asked about a book he wrote

Kurtaj's warning came after prosecutor Pace told him that Under the judge's oath, the information he gave the SPS in an interview in February 2020 was not true, but a lie, reports “Justice Trust”.

Procuror, sometimes you mention lying words, lying I don't want to hear it. You told me about the professor before. If you continue with this communication, I'll interrupt, no matter the consequences. I don't mind the absolute consequences. The false word hecked from”, Kurtaj said.

According to the witness, the prosecutor has even used the word <x0rrene” during the investigation.

Even during your investigation, there's a lie, Professor, you have a lie. The lying word of the moon, or from this moment I interrupt it no matter the consequences. I know you're strong and you can take precautions, but that's not why we're bored. I just don't tolerate using lies to either my professor or to a citizen of the Republic of Kosovo”, witness Kurtaj added.

This debate began after prosecutor Pace reminded witness Kurtaj of an interview given for the SPS in February 2020, where he was asked about a piece of his book about a KLA General Staff Operational Plan, and where in this 2020 interview he had talked about information he had related to this plan. And in the testimony he's giving today, he's denying he knows something about the plan.

Kurtay: Shukri Buya has not told me that there is a KLA headquarters order for the appointment of Agim Bajram, commander of the Kacanic Unit.

(alarming, 12:07)- Witness Kurtaj has said he has not seen Kosovo Liberation Army Staff orders (UÇK) for the appointment of Agim Bajram as commander of the Kacanic Unit.

I have not seen a KLA staff order for this appointment. Shukri Buya didn't tell me too, but he said I appointed Agim Bayam to the unit's command. These are the ones I've arranged as I wished to be”, the witness said.

That statement, the witness said it after prosecutor James Pace read a quote from his book.

On the order of the KLA's staff, Shukri Buya returned to Kacanik, and announced to appoint Agim Bayram the Kachannik Unit command”, was the quote read by prosecutor Pace.

Witness Kurtaj: Nobody told me the book was wrong.

(Updated, 11:26) - At Wednesday's session in Kosovo's Specialised Chambers in The Hague, witness Hajrush Kurtaj said that even some have never told him that his book makes mistakes.

That statement, Kurtaj did by answering questions from the Prosecutor's Office about whether someone told him his book was wrong, reports “Justice Vow”.

Kurtaj is continuing to face the prosecution's questions about the quotes from his book, as well as earlier statements given by the witness regarding the book.

In the question of prosecutor James Pace's question that in a statement in February 2020 after questioning whether he included falsehood in the book, Kurtaj said he was not sure if he said he did not include untruths.

The witness was also asked about the Military Police who acted within the 162 Brigade.

He said military police responsible was Jabir Elez, who, according to him, did not receive orders from him (the witness), but from the commander of the Brigade.

Several pages of Kurtaj Witness's book in judging Thaci and others are accepted as material evidence

In Kosovo Specialised Chambers ( In The Hague, the trial panel in the trial of Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi has accepted as material evidence several pages of the book of witness Hajrush Kurtaj.

Kurtaj, who is the 45th witness to the Prosecutor's Office with the code 04576, which the testimony started on February 1st, is continuing the testimony today, reports “Justice Vow”.

The protection of Thaci and others objected to the pages of Kurtaj's book being accepted as evidence.

But their acceptance as material evidence was made at SPS request, as the same were cited during today's hearing in witness testimony.

Otherwise, this witness is still questioning prosecutor James Pace today, who began to ask him about several places in the Kachanic and Ferizaj municipality.

Procrir Pace asked the witness about the Kukaj, Bicec, Varos, Jezerc, as well as the buildings the KLA has used in the country called Iva and Bob.

In the prosecutor's question of who was responsible for the KLA unit in Biccec, witness Kurtaj said the responsibility was Nazmi Osmani.

Likewise, witness Kurtaj said during his testimony that the 162 Brigade, which he led from May 15th to June 11, 1999, had no responsibility in any part of Ferizaj's territory.

This witness statement was issued answering the question of prosecutor Pace, that during 1998-1999, the 162 Brigade had any responsibility in any part of Ferizaj.

While, in the SPS question about the KLA unit in Jezerc, the witness said there was no information about this unit, because it was not its competence.

And when the witness is asking about the contents of his book, he declares today that he has increased and adorned things in his book.

Otherwise, the Specialised Prosecutor's Office, on September 30th, 2022, has handed over the confirmed amended indictment against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, which consists of ten points of charges, where the latter are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.  

On April 29, 2022, the Specialised Prosecutor's Office had handed over a amended indictment to Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhepi and Jakup Krasniqi, where four indictees have committed war crimes even in Gjilan, Semetium Buddha.

On November 9, 2020, in their first presentations, Jakup Krasniqi i Hashim Thaci have been declared innocent of charges charged. Wessel was also declared in his appearance on November 10, as well as Rexhep Selimi November 11th.

The incident against Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselin, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi is confirmed on October 26, 2020. /A Vow for Justice