Haradinaj's defence committee appeals for funds from Kosovo citizens

BBCM, May 21, 2005 7:52 PM

Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive

Prishtina [Pristina], 20 May: The Committee for Defending Haradinaj from freedom has called on the citizens of Kosova [Kosovo] and the diaspora and other donors to contribute to the fund for Haradinaj, in order for him to return to Kosova and continue his job.

The Committee is continuing the awareness-raising campaign in various ways for contributions to this fund.

Michael O'Reilly, the coordinator of Haradinaj's defence team, said that the beginning of campaign was successful.

According to him, the hearing session on the request of Haradinaj to be defended from freedom will be held next Tuesday. He says that the decision is a matter of judges, not of prosecutors. "I really don't understand why Mrs Del Ponte is addressing the media when we are so close to the court hearing," said O'Reilly.

The prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal, Carla Del Ponte, declared in Vienna that she will oppose the requests for granting release to Haradinaj.

Former Minister Ahmet Isufi, currently one of the leaders of the Committee for Haradinaj's release, said that there is a satisfactory response of donors.

"Meanwhile, we are working with the civic organism and other organs that are helping the commencement of a campaign to raise the awareness within and abroad for responding to the fund for Haradinaj's granted release. He thanked every donor that so far contributed," said Isufi.

Initially the campaign was conducted with distribution of T-shirts, badges, video clips, pictures, and the website www.ourprime.org

Source: KosovaLive web site, Pristina, in English 20 May 05

BBC Monitoring