Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office schedule judgement in the case of GUCATI and HARADINAJ.

11-05-2022

Grace ATALUI MOKANGO

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

In a media advisory dated 9 May 2022, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers informs that Trial Panel II has scheduled the judgement in the case of the Prosecutor v. Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj for 18 May at 10:00 a.m. The hearing will be held in public and open to the public and journalists upon pre-registration, broadcast on the court's website. It can be followed in English, Serbian and Albanian languages. Information on how to register can be found on the court's website. 

As regards the case under trial, Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj, whose indictment was confirmed in 2020, are being prosecuted on two counts of criminal offences against public order, namely obstruction of official persons in the performance of their official duties and four counts of criminal offences against the administration of justice and public administration. These counts are intimidation during criminal proceedings, retaliation, and breach of secrecy of proceedings.

The court's indictment states that during the radio broadcasts, Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj revealed, without authorisation, information protected by the Law on Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor's Office, including the identification details of certain (potential) witnesses. The accused also made accusations and derogatory remarks against (potential) witnesses and repeatedly expressed their intention to harm the Specialist Chambers.

Source and further reading

Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office, Judgement in Gucati and Haradinaj case to be pronounced on 18 May, Media Advisory, ( 9 may 2022), from: https://www.scp-ks.org/en/trial-judgement-gucati-and-haradinaj-case-be-pronounced-18-may