Hague Prosecutors Summon Haradinaj Ally for Questioning

The Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Prosecution has summoned Lulzim Kabashi, a former commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, for questioning on allegations of crimes committed during the Kosovo independence war of the late-1990s.

"I have been invited by Hague prosecutors in the capacity of witness," Kabashi told BIRN.

He is due in The Hague on 24 September.

"I have not welcomed this invitation but it is a procedure that should be done. Of course I will go to The Hague. Anything that is legal is an obligation," he added.

Kabashi, who heads the branch of Ramush Haradinaj's Alliance for the Future of Kosovo party in the southern town of Prizren said he would run again for the post of MP within Haradinaj's party in the October 6 snap elections, which were sparked by Haradinaj's resignation as Prime Minister in July.

Haradinaj resigned on July 19 after being asked to give an interview as a suspect. He was a KLA commander in the Dukagjini area during the 1990s Kosovo war.

Since last year, the Specialist Prosecutor's Office has interviewed more than 35 former KLA fighters, including several others who are also high-profile politicians.

The office is tasked with probing killings, abductions, illegal detentions, sexual violence and other crimes allegedly committed by KLA members from the beginning of 1998 to the end of 1999.

The Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers are expected to try those indicted by the prosecutors. No indictments have been made public yet, however.