Ex-KLA pleads not guilty to war crimes charges

Former KLA member and Kosovo Albanian government minister Fatmir Limaj and 9 other defendants on Friday pleaded not guilty to war crimes. EULEX Prosecutor Maurizio Salustro read the indictment related to the war crimes committed in the village of Klecka in the beginning of the trial and the defendants then entered a not guilty plea. Ex-KLA pleads not guilty to war crimes charges At the time when the crimes were committed Limaj was a commander of KLA Kumanovo unit. EULEX confirmed the indictment against Limaj on July 25. The indictment was raised by the EULEX prosecutor and the Kosovo Special Prosecution. The trial will continue and the defense is expected to call for postponement of proceedings for the beginning of 2012 because of the absence of forensic report on the death of Agim Zogaj, protected witness in the case against Limaj and other indictees. Zogaj was found dead in Duisburg, Germany and the local police stated that he had committed suicide. The EULEX prosecutor on Thursday questioned Kosovo Albanian Prime Minister Hashim Thaci about Limaj's role during the war in Kosovo and especially about his role in the KLA Headquarters and in the planning of the Operation Arrow. Thaci was not questioned as a politician but as a former KLA leader. The Kosovo PM was questioned at Limaj's request. Limaj was tried for war crimes in the Hague Tribunal but he was acquitted due to lack of evidence. Aside from him, nine more KLA members are charged with murder of kidnapped civilians and Yugoslav Army troops – Arben Krasniqi, Naser Krasniqi, Nexhmi Krasniqi, Behlul Limaj, Refki Mazreku, Naser Sala, Sabit Sala, Shaban Sala and Besim Shurdhaj. Fatmir Limaj (FoNet, file)

Ex-KLA pleads not guilty to war crimes charges

At the time when the crimes were committed Limaj was a commander of KLA Kumanovo unit. EULEX confirmed the indictment against Limaj on July 25. The indictment was raised by the EULEX prosecutor and the Kosovo Special Prosecution.

The trial will continue and the defense is expected to call for postponement of proceedings for the beginning of 2012 because of the absence of forensic report on the death of Agim Zogaj, protected witness in the case against Limaj and other indictees.

Zogaj was found dead in Duisburg, Germany and the local police stated that he had committed suicide.

The EULEX prosecutor on Thursday questioned Kosovo Albanian Prime Minister Hashim Thaci about Limaj's role during the war in Kosovo and especially about his role in the KLA Headquarters and in the planning of the Operation Arrow.

Thaci was not questioned as a politician but as a former KLA leader.

The Kosovo PM was questioned at Limaj's request.

Limaj was tried for war crimes in the Hague Tribunal but he was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Aside from him, nine more KLA members are charged with murder of kidnapped civilians and Yugoslav Army troops – Arben Krasniqi, Naser Krasniqi, Nexhmi Krasniqi, Behlul Limaj, Refki Mazreku, Naser Sala, Sabit Sala, Shaban Sala and Besim Shurdhaj.