Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi is facing new charges for allegedly tampering with witnesses in his ongoing war crimes trial.
The Special Court in The Hague confirmed the indictment on Friday, naming Thaçi alongside former Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuçi, ex-intelligence chief Bashkim Smakaj, former Malisheva mayor Isni Kilaj, and Fadil Fazliu.
Smakaj, Fazliu, and Kilaj were arrested in Kosovo earlier this week and flown to The Hague on December 6. Kuçi has been served a summons and will appear before the court on Monday.
Witness tampering plot revealed
Prosecutors say Thaçi masterminded a scheme to sway witness testimony, coordinating three groups to carry out his plans. Between April and November 2023, Thaçi is accused of sharing confidential details about prosecution witnesses during private visits at the detention facility.
He reportedly handed over instructions to influence testimony and provided step-by-step guidance to Smakaj, Kilaj, Fazliu, and Kuçi.
The charges include obstruction of justice, violating court confidentiality, and defying court orders. Thaçi and his co-accused will face these charges in court on Sunday.
A court steeped in controversy
The Kosovo Specialist Chambers, which handles alleged crimes committed by members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) between 1998 and 2000, has faced both praise and criticism.
Thaçi, who is already on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity, has long been a polarizing figure. While many in Kosovo view him as a hero of the independence struggle, the Specialist Chambers were created partly due to concerns about witness intimidation in Kosovo.
The court has already issued convictions for obstruction of justice against two former KLA Veterans Organization leaders, Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj.
More convictions on the books
In its work so far, the court has also sentenced ex-KLA commander Salih Mustafa to 22 years for war crimes and handed an 18-year sentence to Pjetër Shala for torture and murder.
The Hague-based court operates with international staff and was established in 2015 to ensure impartiality in prosecuting cases tied to Kosovo’s violent past.
With Thaçi’s new charges piling on, the Specialist Chambers remain central to Kosovo’s attempts to grapple with its wartime legacy.
