HAGUE ORDERS NEW ARRESTS IN KOSOVO: Ex-advisor to Hashim Thaçi among the detained!

Several people have been arrested in Kosovo and Metohija at the request of the Special Court for War Crimes in The Hague, media in Pristina reported, citing information from their families.

Those arrested include the former president of the Mališevo municipality and regional commander of the so-called KLA, Isni Kiljaji, former head of the intelligence service Baškime Smakaj, and Fadilj Fazlija, an advisor to Hashim Thaçi.

The Hague announced that the Specialized Prosecution is conducting operations in connection with the investigation into criminal offenses against justice.

“The Specialized Prosecution is conducting operations in Kosovo in connection with an ongoing investigation into criminal offenses against justice. The Specialized Prosecution’s operations are carried out under the judicial authorization of the Kosovo Specialized Chambers and with the support of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX),” said a statement from the Special Court in The Hague.

The arrest of Isni Kiljaji is the second in a row. He was previously arrested in November last year on suspicion of obstructing justice.

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In May of this year, he was released under strict conditions, but remained a suspect.

As a main condition for his release, he paid a sum of 30,000 euros as a financial guarantee.

In July, the Specialized Prosecution presented an amended indictment against him, and Kiljaji was arrested on suspicion of committing the criminal offenses of “obstructing officials in the performance of their official duties” and “violation of procedural secrecy”.

Last year, officials from the Special Court raided the homes of former advisors to Hashim Thaçi, Smakaj and Fadilj Fazlija.

Baškime Smakaj’s lawyer said at the time that the specialized prosecution suspected acts against the administration of justice.