Attorneys plan no defense for former Kosovo prime minister in UN war crimes trial

THE HAGUE, Netherlands: Lawyers representing Kosovo's former prime minister will not call any defense witnesses in his U.N. trial on war crimes charges including murder, rape and torture, according to a written ruling issued Friday by judges in the case.

The decision by attorneys for Ramush Haradinaj and two other former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Idriz Balaj and Lahi Brahimaj, suggests they do not believe prosecutors managed to build a credible case against the men.

It is believed to be the first time in cases against more than 100 defendants before the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal that lawyers have declined to put up a defense, said prosecution spokeswoman Olga Kavran.

"The defense does not have an obligation to put on a case," she said.

The prosecution case, which began in March, has been plagued by witnesses who have been unwilling to testify, citing fears of reprisals or intimidation. Ultimately, most witnesses did testify, though two refused and two others testified only after being indicted for contempt of court, arrested and flown to The Hague.

Despite the setbacks, Kavran said prosecutors were confident of convictions.

"We believe we have put forward strong evidence for our case," Kavran said. "It is obviously up to the judges to make the final determination."

Haradinaj's lead attorney Ben Emmerson could not be reached for comment Friday night.

Haradinaj, Balaj and Brahimaj face a total of 37 counts of atrocities against Serbs and their suspected supporters in Kosovo in 1998 as the Kosovo Liberation Army fought Serb forces for control of the breakaway province. All have denied the charges. They face maximum life sentences if convicted on any charge.

Haradinaj was a KLA commander who turned to politics after NATO air strikes against Serbia ended the Kosovo conflict in 1999.

He served briefly as prime minister before quitting and turning himself in to the tribunal after he was indicted in 2005.

Judges ordered defense attorneys and prosecutors to file final briefs in the case by Jan. 14 and scheduled closing statements for Jan. 21-23. (IHT)


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