Specialist Prosecutor Kimberly West has hailed guilty pleas of all three accused in the Sabit Januzi et al. case as “historic” and “critical to protecting the integrity of proceedings” at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC).
Haxhi Shala, Sabit Januzi and Ismet Bahtijari all admitted that they had engaged in witness intimidation and obstruction in separate plea agreements with the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO).
The accused had been charged with intimidation during criminal proceedings and obstructing official persons in performing official duties.
“The plea agreements are historic in that they represent the first occasion on which accused at the KSC have voluntarily admitted their guilt,” the Specialist Prosecutor said.
“This development is critical to protecting the integrity of proceedings at the KSC, as well as a step forward for the administration of justice in Kosovo.”
“My office is committed to ensuring that justice can take its course, based on the facts and the law,” Ms West continued. “The SPO has investigated crimes against the administration of justice to ensure that witnesses are able to testify in court about the crimes they witnessed or experienced without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
“These investigations have been fundamental to the progress of all other prosecutions and will continue to be central to the work of the SPO.”