Kosovo Liberation Army
Private Hearing of First Witness in Thaci Trial Causes Concern
The first witness of the Kosovo Specialist Prosecutor's Office in the trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his three co-defendants was heard this week in the Hague in closed sessions - after the prosecution requested protection of the identity of the witness.
Kosovo, Serbia Hold Rival Commemorations of Vital 1999 Battle
Hundreds of Kosovo Albanians and troops gathered on Sunday in the village of Koshare/Kosare to commemorate the anniversary of a key battle 24 years ago near the Kosovo-Albania border between the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA fighters and Yugoslav Army troops.
Tears and Jeers for Kosovo War Leaders’ Courtroom Drama in The Hague
Throughout the opening day on Monday, Albanians wearing the traditional plis cap or T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Liria ka emer" ("Freedom has a name") made their voices heard in the Dutch city as opening statements were delivered in the trial of Thaci and his wartime comrades turned politicians, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi.
Kosovo Ex-Guerrilla Ordered to Pay War Victims €207,000
A panel of judges at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague decided on Thursday that Salih Mustafa, the wartime commander of one of the Kosovo Liberation Army's operational zones should pay 207,000 euros in compensation "for the harm inflicted on the victims of the crimes for which he is convicted".
War Crime Allegations ‘Absurd’, Kosovo Ex-Guerrilla Tells Court
Jakup Krasniqi told the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague during opening statements in the case against him and three other ex-guerrillas that he denies the charges, some of which he described as "absurd".
Krasniqi, 72, told the court he had nothing to do with the war crimes and crimes against humanity mentioned in the indictment.
If he is convicted, it will mean NATO collaborated with a war criminal against Serbia
According to him, if the former leader of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army is found guilty, it will mean that NATO fought against Milosevic's regime in 1999 with the help of a war criminal.
‘I Expect Acquittal’: Kosovo’s Thaci Launches War Crimes Defence
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci addressed the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague on Tuesday as defence lawyers began their opening statements in his trial, saying he anticipates that he will be cleared.
"I expect to be acquitted," Thaci told the court.
Kosovo Guerrilla Leaders’ Orders Show War Crimes Guilt, Trial Told
Hashim Thaci (centre) with Rexhep Selimi behind him in court on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE/Koen van Weel/Pool.
Using video footage of statements from the 1990s as well as documents found in some of the defendants' homes, lead prosecutor Alan Tieger showed the court KLA communiques and orders for arrests, which he said was evidence that the guerrilla force targeted political opponents.
Live Blog: Kosovo Wartime Guerrilla Leaders on Trial
Follow BIRN's reporters for the latest developments as the war crimes trial of Kosovo's ex-president Hashim Thaci and three other former leaders of the guerrilla Kosovo Liberation Army begins in The Hague.
Albanians Rally for ‘Liberators’ Outside Hague War Crimes Court
"We refuse to have our history distorted," one protester said when he took loud speaker in his hand to address the protest.
Tahir Citaku made a trip of more than 700 kilometres from the Swiss city of Basel to The Hague to protest against the trial.
Tahir Citaku. Photo: BIRN.