Reaction to Haradinaj’s Hague retrial

Ramush Haradinaj’s political allies in Kosovo have been reacting to Wednesday’s ruling .

Officials from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, the political party of which Hardinaj is leader, hit out at the decision to open a fresh trial.

“We are deeply surprised by this decision, especially in light of the court’s first judgement on April 3rd 2008 when it cleared Haradinaj of all charges,” said AAK deputy Blerim Shala.

In Belgrade, Serbia’s deputy war crimes prosecutor praised the overturning of the former Kosovo premier’s acquittal.

“This is a major victory for the UN war crimes prosecution office. This a major step twoards justic for victims of all the crimes that happened in Kosovo in those unfortunate times,” Bruno Vekaric said.

The decision comes one day before the International Court of Justice issues its non-binding opinion on Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.

Its independence has already been recognised by 69 countries including the United States.

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