Haradinaj trial witness arrested

A Hague witness in trial of Ramush Haradinaj was arrested Friday for failing to appear in court. The Hague Tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Kosovo Albanian Avni Krasniqi after he ignored an order to appear on October 29 at the trial of Ramush Haradinaj, who has been indicted for murder, rape and torture alleged to have been committed by Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, forces under his command. Haradinaj trial witness arrested Krasniqi, who is now in contempt of court, will appear before the UN war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia on Monday to face charges of failing to appear at the trial, Reuters reported. A tribunal spokeswoman declined to say where he was arrested or by whom, citing security reasons. Haradinaj, Kosovo's prime minister from 2004 to 2005, went on trial at the UN war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia in March. The tribunal said that throughout Haradinaj's trial, the prosecution had complained of witness intimidation, leading some to refuse to testify. Considered a hero by many Kosovo Albanians, Haradinaj is the most senior former KLA guerrilla to be indicted for war crimes.

Haradinaj trial witness arrested

Krasniqi, who is now in contempt of court, will appear before the UN war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia on Monday to face charges of failing to appear at the trial, Reuters reported.

A tribunal spokeswoman declined to say where he was arrested or by whom, citing security reasons.

Haradinaj, Kosovo's prime minister from 2004 to 2005, went on trial at the UN war crimes tribunal for former Yugoslavia in March.

The tribunal said that throughout Haradinaj's trial, the prosecution had complained of witness intimidation, leading some to refuse to testify.

Considered a hero by many Kosovo Albanians, Haradinaj is the most senior former KLA guerrilla to be indicted for war crimes.