EU Special Investigative Task Force (SITF) denied reported that Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, was interviewed yesterday by the lead prosecutor, Clint Williamson. Its officials claim investigations are ongoing and if there is evidence, all individuals with personal responsibility will be prosecuted.
Officials from the EU SITF that is conducting investigations into allegations of organ trade in Kosovo, told Express that during yesterday’s visit to Kosovo, prosecutor Clint Williamson has not interviewed Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, who is part of investigations.
Express yesterday reported that Williamson’s agenda did not include a meeting with Thaci, precisely for the fact that Thaci is subject of investigations.
“This is not true. Mr. Williamson has neither met nor interviewed Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in any capacity during our visit. For this matter, I can refer you to the statement of our visits’ agenda,” said Joao Sousa, spokesperson for the Task Force.
In addition, the spokesperson could not say when SITF would present finding of the three-year-long investigative process. He only noted that investigations are ongoing.
“With regards to facts, we have said from the start that similar investigations took 3 years to be completed. While investigations are ongoing, I cannot be more specific on this issue,” Sousa said.
At the same time, according to a statement from the Task Force, in his meetings yesterday, Williamson thanked Kosovo authorities for their continuous support in the criminal investigations process.
“He reiterated his determination for independent and unbiased investigations that will reveal the full truth regarding serious allegations in the Council of Europe report and stressed that it is in the common interest to resolve this issue once and for all,” the statement reads.
“Mr. Williamson stressed that the mandate of the SITF is to investigate and, if warranted, prosecute individuals who were personally responsible for crimes alleged in the Marty report. He noted that he is aware of the mounting speculation about the future of the SITF and its inquiry. However he underlined that, the investigative work is ongoing and that it is premature to prejudge any outcome,” the statement reads on.
