Kosovo’s Prime Minister Resigns After Summoned by Hague Prosecutors - Gazeta Express
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Kosovo prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, has on Friday offered his irrevocable resignation after being summoned as a suspect by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) for his role as former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander during Kosovo war.
Haradinaj, who during the war in Kosovo was KLA commander of the Dukagjini region, made the announcement while addressing media after regular Government’s meeting on Friday. “I just informed the Government, that I have offered irrevocable resignation as the head of Government. The reason is because I have been summoned by the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office for questioning as a suspect,” Haradinaj said. He confirmed that he will appear before Hague prosecutors next week for questioning, adding that he cannot travel to the Hague as head of Kosovo Government, but only as ordinary citizen of the Republic of Kosovo. “I will be questioned next week, and I have assessed that I cannot appear there as head of Government, but only as citizen of Kosovo. To preserve the credibility of the Prime Minister’s post, I thought resignation is a right decision,” Haradinaj said adding that he will respect the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s office established to prosecute and try alleged crimes committed by the KLA. “I will perform my duties and defend Kosovo as a warrior of my country,” he said. Haradinaj said that his Government will continue working until next election, explaining that all his obligations according to the Constitution are transferred to country’s President.
This is the second time Haradinaj resigns as prime minister to face international justice. In 2005 Haradinaj resigned as prime minister after 100 days serving as prime minister after he was indicted by the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. After years of trial Haradinaj was acquitted of all charges. /GazetaExpress/
