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Kosovo Ex-PM Acquitted of War Crimes Again

Ramush Haradinaj looking to lead country again, but Serbs cry foul

By the Associated Press

Posted Nov 29, 2012 9:00 AM CST

(AP) – A UN war crimes tribunal today acquitted Kosovo's former prime minister for the second time of murdering and torturing Serbs as a rebel commander in Kosovo's 1998-1999 war for independence, setting the stage for Ramush Haradinaj's return to political life in the deeply divided nation. The verdict was issued in the UN court's first ever retrial, which was ordered after appeals judges branded the 2008 acquittal of Haradinaj a "miscarriage of justice" because of widespread intimidation of prosecution witnesses.

The acquittal heralds a political renaissance for Haradinaj, seen by the West before his 2005 indictment as a unifying force in Kosovo, but could complicate talks between Kosovo and Serbia on Kosovo's future. "With the consent of the people, he will soon be resuming his rightful position as the political leader of the country," his lawyer told reporters. Supporters celebrated in the Kosovo capital of Pristina, but Serbia's president said that the verdict dealt "a blow to efforts at establishing peace in the region."

Former Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj awaits his verdict at the courtroom of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012.
Former Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj awaits his verdict at the courtroom of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012.   (KOEN VAN WEEL)
A war crimes tribunal has acquitted the former prime minister of Kosovo for the second time on charges murdering and torturing Serbs and their supporters in Kosovo's war for independence.
A war crimes tribunal has acquitted the former prime minister of Kosovo for the second time on charges murdering and torturing Serbs and their supporters in Kosovo's war for independence.   (Koen Van Weel)
The retrial was ordered after appeals judges branded the 2008 acquittal of Haradinaj and Balaj and the conviction of Brahimaj a miscarriage of justice due to intimidation of prosecution witnesses.
The retrial was ordered after appeals judges branded the 2008 acquittal of Haradinaj and Balaj and the conviction of Brahimaj a "miscarriage of justice" due to intimidation of prosecution witnesses.   (VISAR KRYEZIU)
Thursday's verdicts came in the UN court's first ever retrial.
Thursday's verdicts came in the UN court's first ever retrial.   (VISAR KRYEZIU)
Former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Lahi Brahimaj enters the courtroom of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012.
Former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander Lahi Brahimaj enters the courtroom of the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012.   (KOEN VAN WEEL)
  (VISAR KRYEZIU)
  (VISAR KRYEZIU)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
buckie-mcdougall
Nov 29, 2012 3:19 PM CST
One post-er writes: "Why should we be surprised? In the most despicable event since Hitler's Third Reich, the Clinton administration, along with NATO, organized the most shameful pogrom against our former ally, the end result being two radical Muslim states in the heart of Europe; Bosnia and Kosovo. Both of which violently wrenched from their rightful owners, and both spawning thousands of radical Mujahedeen bent on destroying anything non-Muslim! Several of the 9/11 hijackers were from Bosnia, and the "Fort Dix 6" were from Kosovo. Nice thanks to us for being their paid mercenary army! It also bears mentioning that bin Laden held a Bosnian passport, and was there just prior to 9/11! Plus, after attacking a sovereign nation, Yugoslavia, and viciously bombing its civilian populace, in violation of a host of international laws, Clinton gets a Nobel Peace Prize. After organizing a savage 78-day bombing campaign that killed over 10,000 innocent Serbs, Gen,. Wesley Clark suddenly acquires gas drilling rights in Kosovo. And, after organizing the most despicable propaganda campaign since Hitler's Goebbels, Madeline Albright now suddenly acquires the contract for all the telecommunications throughout Kosovo. Hmmm. Nothing fishy there, by golly!!"...but Rammrodd seems to be out of the loop.  Mohammet sang over the graves of his enemies and even freaked out his own followers marrying a 12 year old at one point.  What do you expect of his followers!?
Rammrodd
Nov 29, 2012 9:36 AM CST
The specious & spurious charges against Ramush were politically motivated. In fact, there were no "war crimes" during the partition of Yugoslavia.
duke2157
Nov 29, 2012 9:24 AM CST
Why should we be surprised? In the most despicable event since Hitler's Third Reich, the Clinton administration, along with NATO, organized the most shameful pogrom against our former ally, the end result being two radical Muslim states in the heart of Europe; Bosnia and Kosovo. Both of which violently wrenched from their rightful owners, and both spawning thousands of radical Mujahedeen bent on destroying anything non-Muslim! Several of the 9/11 hijackers were from Bosnia, and the "Fort Dix 6" were from Kosovo. Nice thanks to us for being their paid mercenary army! It also bears mentioning that bin Laden held a Bosnian passport, and was there just prior to 9/11! Plus, after attacking a sovereign nation, Yugoslavia, and viciously bombing its civilian populace, in violation of a host of international laws, Clinton gets a Nobel Peace Prize. After organizing a savage 78-day bombing campaign that killed over 10,000 innocent Serbs, Gen,. Wesley Clark suddenly acquires gas drilling rights in Kosovo. And, after organizing the most despicable propaganda campaign since Hitler's Goebbels, Madeline Albright now suddenly acquires the contract for all the telecommunications throughout Kosovo. Hmmm. Nothing fishy there, by golly!!

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