The Guardian: Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi indicted on war crimes charges
Court examining crimes during 1998-99 war also charges nine other former separatist fighters.
A prosecutor investigating crimes committed during Kosovo‘s 1998-99 independence war with Serbia has indicted Kosovo’s president, Hashim Thaçi, for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The indictment was announced as Thaçi was on his way to Washington for a White House meeting with Serbia’s president organised by Richard Grenell, Donald Trump’s controversial ambassador to Germany who was also appointed as the administration’s Balkan peace envoy.
The meeting had been scheduled for Saturday, but Grenell announced on Twitter on Wednesday evening that Thaçi had cancelled his visit following the announcement. “I respect his decision not to attend the discussions until the legal issues of those allegations are settled,” Grenell wrote. Kosovo’s new prime minister, Avdullah Hoti, will represent the country at the White House meeting.
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WNU Editor: This kills the White House's peace efforts .... Trump's Kosovo peace summit postponed amid war crime allegations (The Hill). He promises to address these charges later on sunday .... Thaci Vows to Address War Crimes Charges on Sunday (Balkan Transitional Justice). In the meantime he is accusing the international justice system of rewriting history .... Indicted Kosovar President Accuses International Judiciary Of Attempt To 'Rewrite History' (RFE). As to what is my take. The break-up of Yugoslavia spawned a lot of monsters. He is one of them. These charges are long overdue.
More News On Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi Being Charged With War Crimes
Kosovo president, indicted for war crimes, heads back home -- ABC News/AP
Kosovo President charged with war crimes cancels White House visit -- CNN
War crimes tribunal indicts Kosovo President Thaci -- Euractiv
The president of Kosovo abruptly dropped out of a White House peace summit after prosecutors accused him of war crimes, including 100 murders -- Business Insider
Thaci hoped that Washington would save him? -- B92/DW
Overdue or coincidence? What was the investigator or prosecutors workload look like over that past 21 years? Only now is coming to head?
ReplyDeleteThey say it was made public because of interference by the Kosovan president. So are we to infer that they had collected very little evidence before he became president on 7 April 2016. They collected insufficient evidence from 1999 through 2015 to charge for anything?
The EU and Grennel looking for an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo might save lives now and into the future.
It almost to the point that the Hague saves as many lives now and into the future by its investigations as if they investigated the 30 Years War or The Battle of Carchemish.
21 Years? Junior people tend to be 20 to 40. Senior people tend to be 40 or older. Heck 1/2 the senior commanders could be dead in 5 or 7 years. Which is good for the Hague because then they only have a handful of people to contend with during their show trials. If the Hague worked any faster they might break a nail or miss a latte.
IMO it is as stupid as police passing by two gangs shooting it out on the street in broad daylight with bodies on the street to arrest some guy in a nursing home, who can barely remember his name for a murder 60 years before. But it is well paying, safe work.
"Thaçi was responsible for securing financial means and armaments, and training recruits in Albania to be dispatched to Kosovo."
ReplyDeleteAny indictments of Albanian officials, who provided a secure rear area for the KLA?
Yes, I think these latte sipping lawyers are really brave people.