Ramush Haradinaj
Ramush Haradinaj was one of the most senior leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the 1998-99 conflict with Serb forces. Haradinaj had overall command of the KLA forces in the Dukagijn operational zone, located to the west of Priština. He was initially indicted on 4 March 2005 while he was Prime Minister of Kosovo – a position he had held since 3 December 2004. On 8 March 2005, Haradinaj resigned as Prime Minister and the following day voluntarily surrendered himself to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).Haradinaj was indicted withi Idriz Balaj and Lahi Ibrahimaj charged with 18 counts of crimes against humanity and 19 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war for crimes committed by KLA forces from 24 March 1998. The alleged crimes included harassment, deportation or forcible transfer of civilians, imprisonment, torture, murders, rape, abduction and cruel treatment.
On 14 March 2005, Haradinaj pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. On 3 April 2008, the ICTY Trial Chamber I acquitted Ramush Haradinaj of all charges.
The Appeals Judgement in this case was rendered on 21 July 2010.
The Appeals Chamber quashed the acquittal of Ramush Haradinaj and ordered a partial re-trial of the case. An order was issued to bring the accused back to the detention unit.
The Appeals Chamber quashed the acquittal of Ramush Haradinaj and ordered a partial re-trial of the case. An order was issued to bring the accused back to the detention unit.
Idriz Balaj
Idriz Balaj was a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the commander of the special unit known as the “Black Eagles” created with the approval of Ramush Haradinaj in April 1998. Balaj was subordinate to Haradinaj, a former leader of the KLA, working closely with him and providing direct operational support for the criminal activities in the Dukagjin Operational Zone during the 1998-99 conflict with Serb forces.
Balaj was indicted with Ramush Haradinaj and Lahi Ibrahimaj . He was charged with 18 counts of crimes against humanity and 19 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war for crimes committed by KLA forces beginning 24 March 1998. The alleged crimes included harassment, deportation or forcible transfer of civilians, imprisonment, torture, murders, rape, abduction and cruel treatment.
On 14 March 2005, Balaj pleaded not guilty to all charges against him during his initial appearance before the ICTY. On 3 April 2008, the ICTY Trial Chamber I acquitted Balaj of all charges.
The Appeals Judgment was rendered on 21 July 2010.
The Appeals Chamber reversed the acquittal of Balaj ordering a re-trial on six counts in the indictment and the prosecution’s request to reverse Balaj’s acquittal on the counts of murder, rape and torture was rejected. An order was issued to bring the accused back to the detention unit where he remain pending further orders.
Idriz Balaj was a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the commander of the special unit known as the “Black Eagles” created with the approval of Ramush Haradinaj in April 1998. Balaj was subordinate to Haradinaj, a former leader of the KLA, working closely with him and providing direct operational support for the criminal activities in the Dukagjin Operational Zone during the 1998-99 conflict with Serb forces.Balaj was indicted with Ramush Haradinaj and Lahi Ibrahimaj . He was charged with 18 counts of crimes against humanity and 19 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war for crimes committed by KLA forces beginning 24 March 1998. The alleged crimes included harassment, deportation or forcible transfer of civilians, imprisonment, torture, murders, rape, abduction and cruel treatment.
On 14 March 2005, Balaj pleaded not guilty to all charges against him during his initial appearance before the ICTY. On 3 April 2008, the ICTY Trial Chamber I acquitted Balaj of all charges.
The Appeals Judgment was rendered on 21 July 2010.
The Appeals Chamber reversed the acquittal of Balaj ordering a re-trial on six counts in the indictment and the prosecution’s request to reverse Balaj’s acquittal on the counts of murder, rape and torture was rejected. An order was issued to bring the accused back to the detention unit where he remain pending further orders.
Lahi Brahimaj
Lahi Brahimaj was a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the deputy commander of the Dukagjin Operative Staff stationed in Jablanica. He ran the KLA detention facility in Jablanica from at least April 1998 until about 5 July 1998, for the purpose, among others, of carrying out the joint criminal enterprise by detaining and mistreating civilians. Brahimaj is a close relative of former KLA leader and former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and was subordinate to him during the 1998-99 conflict with Serb forces.
Brahimaj was indicted with Ramush Haradinaj and Idriz Balaj . He was charged with 18 counts of crimes against humanity and 19 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war for crimes committed by KLA forces beginning 24 March 1998. The alleged crimes included harassment, deportation or forcible transfer of civilians, imprisonment, torture, murders, rape, abduction and cruel treatment.
On 14 March 2005, Balaj pleaded not guilty to all charges against him during his initial appearance before the ICTY. On 3 April 2008, the ICTY Trial Chamber I sentenced Lahi Brahimaj to six years’ imprisonment for cruel treatment and torture as violations of the laws and customs of war. Ramush Haradinaj and Idriz Balaj were both acquitted of all charges.
The Appeals Judgement in this case was rendered on 21 July 2010. The Appeals Chamber quashed the acquittal of Lahi Brahimaj and also rejected Brahimaj’s demand to reverse his conviction on the counts of torture and cruel treatment of protected witnesses, Brahimaj’s defense also called for a milder sentence, but the Appeals Chamber rejected the request, so that Brahimaj’s six-year sentence was allowed to stand.
An order was issued to bring the accused back to the detention unit where he remain pending furthers orders.
Lahi Brahimaj was a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the deputy commander of the Dukagjin Operative Staff stationed in Jablanica. He ran the KLA detention facility in Jablanica from at least April 1998 until about 5 July 1998, for the purpose, among others, of carrying out the joint criminal enterprise by detaining and mistreating civilians. Brahimaj is a close relative of former KLA leader and former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and was subordinate to him during the 1998-99 conflict with Serb forces.Brahimaj was indicted with Ramush Haradinaj and Idriz Balaj . He was charged with 18 counts of crimes against humanity and 19 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war for crimes committed by KLA forces beginning 24 March 1998. The alleged crimes included harassment, deportation or forcible transfer of civilians, imprisonment, torture, murders, rape, abduction and cruel treatment.
On 14 March 2005, Balaj pleaded not guilty to all charges against him during his initial appearance before the ICTY. On 3 April 2008, the ICTY Trial Chamber I sentenced Lahi Brahimaj to six years’ imprisonment for cruel treatment and torture as violations of the laws and customs of war. Ramush Haradinaj and Idriz Balaj were both acquitted of all charges.
The Appeals Judgement in this case was rendered on 21 July 2010.
The Appeals Chamber quashed the acquittal of Lahi Brahimaj and also rejected Brahimaj’s demand to reverse his conviction on the counts of torture and cruel treatment of protected witnesses, Brahimaj’s defense also called for a milder sentence, but the Appeals Chamber rejected the request, so that Brahimaj’s six-year sentence was allowed to stand.
An order was issued to bring the accused back to the detention unit where he remain pending furthers orders.
An order was issued to bring the accused back to the detention unit where he remain pending furthers orders.
Kabashi, Shefqet (contempt)
Shefqet Kabashi was one of two witnesses who came to the ICTY during the trial of former Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, and who refused to testify when invited to do so. In delivering their Judgement in the Haradinaj et al. case, the judges noted that in the courtroom Shefqet Kabashi had merely confirmed a few personal details, after which he refused to answer any questions on the substance of the case.
Consequently, the Trial Chamber issued an Order in Lieu of Indictment for Contempt of the Tribunal. However, before his trial was due to start, Kabashi left the Netherlands and returned to his place of residence in the United States. An Amended Indictment was issued against Shefqet Kabashi on 18 February 2008.
The contempt case against Shefqet Kabashi is still pending his arrest and transfer to The Hague.
Consequently, the Trial Chamber issued an Order in Lieu of Indictment for Contempt of the Tribunal. However, before his trial was due to start, Kabashi left the Netherlands and returned to his place of residence in the United States. An Amended Indictment was issued against Shefqet Kabashi on 18 February 2008.
The contempt case against Shefqet Kabashi is still pending his arrest and transfer to The Hague.
Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Revised Fourth Amended Indictment, 28-10-2010- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Summary of the Appeals Judgment, 21-07-2010
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Prosecution Notice of Appeal, 1-5-2008
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Summary of the Judgment, 3-4-2008
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Judgement, 3-4-2008
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Fourth amended indictment, 16-10-2007
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Third amended indictment, 7-9-2007
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Revised second amended indictment, 11-01-2007
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Amended Indictment, 25-10-2006
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Indictment, 26-4-2006
- Pros. v. R. Haradinaj et al.: Initial Indictment, 4-3-200
