The specialist today makes his decision about Shala, Januzi, and Bahhitari

Shala, Januzi and Bahtari pleaded guilty to witness intimidation and obstruction of justice after reaching agreement with the Specialised Prosecutor for admitting guilt in late December 2024.

In their agreement with the Prosecution, Shala agreed to a sentence of up to three years in prison, Januzi to a sentence of 24 to 30 months, while Bahitari agreed that if the court sentences him to two years in prison or less, he will not have the right to appeal to the verdict.

All three were accused of collaborating to encourage a witness not to testify before Specialised Chambers and Specialised Prosecutors, also known as the Special Court.

It has not been made known which witness was involved, nor in what case was it presented to bear witness.

Bahhitari and Januzi were arrested in October 2023, while Shala in December 2023. The time spent in custody at the Special Court in The Hague since then will be calculated in the punishment.

What does the indictment say about Shala, Januzi and Bahtari?

The act confirmed for the three accused on July 10, 2023, says that between April 5 and April 12, 2023 Hagi Shala, along with Sabit Januz and Ismet Bahhitari, contacted a witness.

More precisely, according to the indictment, Ismet Bahitari visited the witness at his home on April 5 while Sabit Jonuzi paid a visit on April 12th.

The charge was reportedly asked to withdraw the testimony and offered benefits in return.

Group work, according to the Prosecution, was conducted under the direction of Haxhi Shala.

Meanwhile, Kosovo's Specialised Chambers have so far declared two acts of obstruction in the administration of justice.

Two former KLA Veterans Organisation challenges -- Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj -- have been convicted of obstructing justice so far.

Meanwhile, December 6, 2024 The Special Court in The Hague confirmed a new indictment against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, as well as against four other persons for criminal acts related to “claims for illegal efforts to influence witness evidence in the trial of war crimes Thaci and others”.

Kosovo's Specialised Chambers said the indictment was confirmed against Hashim Thaci, former Justice Minister Hajredin Kuci, former head of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, the Smakaj Union, the former head of Malisheva, Isni Kilaj, and Fadil Fazliu.

The Special Court was founded in 2015 by the Assembly of Kosovo and is part of Kosovo's judicial system, but operates with international personnel and has headquarters at The Hague.

Specialised Chambers and the Specialised Prosecutor's Office investigate the alleged crimes of members of the Kosovo Liberation Army committed against ethnic minorities and political rivals from January 1998 to December 2000.

Currently, several court cases are under way in the Specialised Chambers, including the case against former KLA leaders Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veselini, Jakup Krasniqi and Recep Selimi, who are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. / REL/