BRIEF: Kosovars Indicted for Bullying Haradinaj Witnesses

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)announced Friday that it had charged Kosovo Culture Minister Astrit Araqijan and his advisor for contempt of court for bullying witnesses connected to the Haradinaj trial.  The sealed contempt indictment had been brought on January 8, 2008. 

Araqijan and his advisor, Bajrush Morina, were former supporters of Ramush Haradinaj, who was acquitted earlier this month, partially due to lack of evidence at trial because several witnesses refused to testify.

ICTY reported that the charges against both men were triggered in July and August 2007 when they attempted to convince anonymous witnesses not to appear in court.  Police reported that Morina, at the Ministry of Culture's expense, traveled to witnesses' countries of residence.

For more information, please see:

AFP - War crimes court charges Kosovar minister for bullying witness - 26 April 2008

Balkan Insight - Kosovo Minister & Reporter Indicted by Hague - 26 April 2008