Thaci declared innocent of charges linked to obstruction of justice

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has been declared innocent in connection with charges against justice administration, the Special Court announced on January 7th in The Hague.

The statement, Thaci made it written on Monday, January 6th.

After the court's invitation of the preliminary procedure at the conference on the progress of the issue on December 17th, Hashim Thaci was declared concerning the conviction in the form written on January 6, 2025. He pleaded innocent to all points of the indictment”, said the announcement of Kosovo's Specialised Chambers, known as the Special Court.

Thaci is being charged for the second time by the Specialised Prosecutor at The Hague. The SPS charges him with acts related to influence on witnesses until he is in a trial for alleged war crimes.

On December 6, 2024, the Special confirmed the new indictment against Thaci, former Justice Minister Hajredin Kuci, former head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, the Smaj Union, former Malisheva Mayor Isni Kilaj, and former KLA member Fadil Fazliu.

It's criminal acts related to claims of “impacted on witness evidence” in the court case “Thaci and others”.

Two weeks ago, until he spoke at The Hague tribunal, Thaci has sought respect for the Constitution and Kosovo laws.

“wants to re-inflate and underline the necessity of respecting the Constitution and Kosovo laws in this hall. Disrespecting Kosovo's laws and other legal norms on the parties, in this sacred room for justice, poses a danger to minimising democracy in Kosovo, poses a threat to the violation of civic trust, so I invite it to maintain institutional self-control by all, even in this room”, Thaci said at the conference on the progress of the issue on December 18th.

Thaci has added that he does not pose any risks in the political sense, nor does “for any government project”.

You know four years ago, in November 2020, the indictment was filed against me just three months before the country's president was re-elected. Now, ten days ago, hastily, the Prosecutor's Office introduced additional charges just two months before parliamentary elections in Kosovo. I want to explain again, I'm not part of the political race, and I don't have any political ambitions for president or for deputy or any other public office ambitions. I reiterate that I am neither an obstacle nor present danger to anyone in the political sense nor to any governing project”, Thaci said.

The new instance comes as Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi entered the fifth year in detention under war crimes claims.

A judicial process is under way, which is currently in the phase of SPS testing. The prosecution's case is expected to close in spring this year to pave the way for the defence issue. / K SP