testimony – Albanian  Telegraphic  Agency. https://en.ata.gov.al News Agency Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:30:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Rubin: No evidence linking Thaçi or Krasniqi to alleged executions or killings in Kosovo https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/09/15/rubin-no-evidence-linking-thaci-or-krasniqi-to-alleged-executions-or-killings-in-kosovo/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/09/15/rubin-no-evidence-linking-thaci-or-krasniqi-to-alleged-executions-or-killings-in-kosovo/#respond Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:30:19 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=274450 PRISHTINA, Sept 15 /ATA/ – Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Rubin testified at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague on Monday, stating that no evidence has ever been found linking former Kosovo leaders Hashim Thaçi or Jakup Krasniqi to alleged executions or killings during the Kosovo conflict.

Speaking during cross-examination by Krasniqi’s defense lawyer, Rubin said U.S. investigations at the time, as well as subsequent inquiries over the past two decades, revealed no information supporting such claims.

“We found no evidence, no information, no indication that connected either Mr. Thaçi or Mr. Krasniqi to such allegations,” Rubin said, adding that he had asked many knowledgeable sources over the years without receiving any confirmation.

Rubin, who served as spokesperson and Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from 1997 to 2000, described Thaçi and Krasniqi as moderate leaders who supported the 1999 Rambouillet peace agreement. He said both men were seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict and Western support, as opposed to hardliners who opposed the deal and risked mass civilian casualties.

Rubin said his direct contact with Krasniqi had been minimal, while Thaçi was the main point of contact from the Kosovo Albanian delegation at Rambouillet. He recalled that Thaçi was concerned about not having full authority to sign the agreement without consulting military leaders on the ground.

Rubin’s testimony was part of the defense case for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, who is standing trial alongside other former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders for alleged war crimes.

Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi plead not guilty to war-crimes charges. The defense began calling witnesses today.

/Kosovapress/u.sh/

]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/09/15/rubin-no-evidence-linking-thaci-or-krasniqi-to-alleged-executions-or-killings-in-kosovo/feed/ 0 Former U.S. diplomat Rubin to testify at Specialist Chambers in favor of former KLA leaders https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/09/12/former-u-s-diplomat-rubin-to-testify-at-specialist-chambers-in-favor-of-former-kla-leaders/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/09/12/former-u-s-diplomat-rubin-to-testify-at-specialist-chambers-in-favor-of-former-kla-leaders/#respond Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:17:42 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=274244 PRISHTINA, Sept 12 /ATA/ – Former U.S. assistant secretary of state James Rubin said he will testify next week before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague in favor of former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

“I’ll be in Europe next week to testify at the special tribunal for war crimes in Kosovo,” Rubin said on Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files with James Rubin, adding that he had helped former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during the founding of the initial war crimes tribunal.

The Hague-based court, established under Kosovo law in 2015, investigates alleged war crimes committed during and after the 1998–99 conflict. It operates with international staff.

Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, former parliamentary speakers Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi, and ex-MP Rexhep Selimi are currently on trial. All four have pleaded not guilty to charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

They have been in detention since November 2020. The prosecution closed its case in April, and the defense is scheduled to begin presenting evidence on September 15.

/KosovaPress/u.sh/

]]> https://en.ata.gov.al/2025/09/12/former-u-s-diplomat-rubin-to-testify-at-specialist-chambers-in-favor-of-former-kla-leaders/feed/ 0 Interior Minister demands that meeting of investigative committee on TIMS data be held behind closed doors https://en.ata.gov.al/2024/05/15/interior-minister-demands-that-meeting-of-investigative-committee-on-tims-data-be-held-behind-closed-doors/ https://en.ata.gov.al/2024/05/15/interior-minister-demands-that-meeting-of-investigative-committee-on-tims-data-be-held-behind-closed-doors/#respond Wed, 15 May 2024 20:17:04 +0000 https://en.ata.gov.al/?p=234822 TIRANA, May 15 /ATA/ – The Minister of Interior Taulant Balla demanded that a meeting of the parliamentary investigative commission on the data of the Total Information Management System (TIMS), where he was invited to testify, be held behind the closed doors.

The Interior Minister sent a letter to the commission, clarifying that the information on this issue is based on documents and data classified as state secret and the commission members should be equipped with security certificates.

The Minister of Interior Taulant Balla, the State Police General Director Muhamet Rrumbullaku, and former Director of the IT Department at the State Police, Ervin Muça, have been called to give their testimonies regarding the issue.

Balla also said that the meeting should be held behind the closed doors also in compliance with the legal provisions to protect against the disclosure of any classified information.

Interior Minister also highlights the fact that a criminal investigation is underway into the TIMS issue and the data cannot be disclosed to the public.

/m.m/u.sh/

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