Haradinaj aides released on bail from the ICTY
Former Kosovo Culture Minister Astrit Haraqija and his adviser Bajrush Morina -- charged by the Hague with contempt of court and witness intimidation in the Ramush Haradinaj case-- have been released on bail.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The trial chamber will decide when they should return to custody at a later date, according to a statement from the Tribunal.
The two men were charged in January with intimidating a witness in the Ramush Haradinaj trial and contempt of court.
The two accused pleaded not guilty during their first court appearance on April 29.
According to the indictment, Haraqija ordered Bajrush Morina to travel to Oslo to make contact with a protected witness in the Haradinaj case, who received protective measures in 2005.
On July 10 and 11, 2007, Morina met with the witness and asked him not testify in the trial. However, the witness refused to give in to Morina's pressure, and ultimately gave evidence. Haraqija was a member of a committee for the former Kosovo Liberation Army leader's defense, and is now a member of the Democratic Union of Kosovo's presidency, as well as head of the party's local branch in Djakovica.
The Hague Tribunal acquitted Haradinaj and fellow accused Idriz Balaj of all charges on April 3, while the third accused, Lahi Brahimaj, was found guilty on two counts of inhumane treatment, and sentenced to six years of prison.
Nine prosection witnesses have been killed before and during the Haradinaj trial.
