Kosovo War Survivors Nervous About Participating in Guerrillas’ Trials

In December 2019, Gani was interviewed as a witness by prosecutors from The Hague. Gani is not his real name; BIRN is using a pseudonym to protect his identity. Many witnesses are fearful of potential retribution in Kosovo; this is one of the reasons that the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, which will try former KLA guerrillas for wartime crimes, was set up outside the country.

Recently Gani was informed that Shala has been indicted for allegedly committing war crimes against prisoners detained at the Kukes Metal Factory in northern Albania. Shala pleaded not guilty at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers last week and described the accusations as "ridiculous".

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers allows victims to apply to participate in the court proceedings. Gani could put in an application to participate in Shala's trial, but he is still unsure.

"I am thinking about whether I should go. I wouldn't like to face him again. But then again, all these years I have been waiting to see him in jail," he told BIRN at his house in a remote village.

"When it comes to them [KLA commanders], here [in Kosovo] nobody cares about the victims," he added, frowning with anger and sadness.

So far, no precise deadline has been set for victims' applications in the Shala case.

"Anyone who suffered harm from crimes contained in the indictment can participate in the proceedings and the Victims' Participation Office is prepared to make every effort to assist them," Angela Griep, a spokesperson for the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, told BIRN.

"Participating victims before the KSC may receive the acknowledgment that they were victims, so that the judges are fully aware about the impact of the crimes," she explained.

They can also gain the...