The Prosecutor v. Ramush Haradinaj, Idriz Balaj, and Lahi Brahimaj

Case Sheet · ICTY

The Prosecutor v. Ramush Haradinaj, Idriz Balaj, and Lahi Brahimaj

Location Kosovo
Case Number IT-04-84
Case Name Haradinaj et al.
Status Closed · Sentence Served Acquitted

Context

Ramush Haradinaj was a commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) in the Dukagjin operational zone, located to the west of Priština/Prishtinë; which zone encompassed the municipalities of Peć/Pejë, Dečani/Deçan, Đakovica/Gjakovë, and parts of the municipalities of Istok/Istog and Kline/Klinë. Also known as "Smajl".

Idriz Balaj was a member of the KLA, acted as the commander of the special unit known as the “Black Eagles”; was subordinate to Ramush Haradinaj. Also known as “Toger/Togeri” meaning “Lieutenant”.

Lahi Brahimaj was a member of the KLA General Staff stationed at the headquarters in Jablanica/Jabllanicë, in Đakovica/Gjakovë municipality; acted as the deputy commander in the Dukagjin area for a short period; was subordinate to, and worked closely with, Ramush Haradinaj. Also known as “Maxhup” or “Gypsy”.

Pre-Trial

Initial Indictment 4 March 2005
Amended Indictment(s) 25 October 2006
12 January 2007
5 September 2007
15 October 2007
Crimes Charged

Ramush Haradinaj
Violations of the laws or customs of war
Murder · art. 3 ICTYS
Cruel treatment · art. 3 ICTYS
Rape · art. 3 ICTYS
Outrages upon personal dignity · art. 3 ICTYS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 5(a) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of deportation · art. 5(d) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of imprisonment · art. 5(e) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of torture · art. 5(f) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 5(g) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 5(h) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 5(i) ICTYS

Idriz Balaj
Violations of the laws or customs of war
Murder · art. 3 ICTYS
Cruel treatment · art. 3 ICTYS
Rape · art. 3 ICTYS
Outrages upon personal dignity · art. 3 ICTYS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 5(a) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of deportation · art. 5(d) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of imprisonment · art. 5(e) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of torture · art. 5(f) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 5(g) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 5(h) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 5(i) ICTYS

Lahi Brahimaj
Violations of the laws or customs of war
Murder · art. 3 ICTYS
Cruel treatment · art. 3 ICTYS
Rape · art. 3 ICTYS
Outrages upon personal dignity · art. 3 ICTYS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 5(a) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of deportation · art. 5(d) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of imprisonment · art. 5(e) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of torture · art. 5(f) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 5(g) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 5(h) ICTYS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 5(i) ICTYS
Surrendered 9 March 2005
Initial Appearance 14 March 2005 · Plea: Not Guilty
1 March 2007 · Plea: Not Guilty

Trial

Trial Chamber Trial Chamber I · Judges: Judge Alphons Orie (presiding), Judge Frank Höpfel, Judge Ole Bjørn Støle
Trial Opening 5 March 2007
Trial Judgment 3 April 2008
Crimes at Trial Judgment Lahi Brahimaj
Violations of the laws or customs of war
Torture · art. 3 ICTYS
Cruel treatment · art. 3 ICTYS
Sentencing Judgment Ramush Haradinaj
Acquitted 

Idriz Balaj
Acquitted 

Lahi Brahimaj

6 years of imprisonment

Appeal

Appeals Chamber Appeals Chamber · Judges: Judge Patrick Robinson (presiding), Judge Fausto Pocar, Judge Andrésia Vaz, Judge Liu Daqun, Judge Theodor Meron
Appeals Filed By Both
Appeal Judgment 21 July 2010 · Conviction confirmed and re-trial
Crimes at Appeal Judgment Lahi Brahimaj
Violations of the laws or customs of war
Torture · art. 3 ICTYS
Cruel treatment · art. 3 ICTYS

Re-Trial

Trial Chamber Trial Chamber II · Judge Bakone Justice Moloto (presiding), Judge Burton Hall and Judge Guy Delvoie
Trial Opening 18 August 2011
Trial Judgment 29 November 2012
Crimes at re-Trial Judgment Lahi Brahimaj
Violations of the laws or customs of war
Torture · art. 3 ICTYS
Cruel treatment · art. 3 ICTYS
Sentencing Judgment Ramush Haradinaj
Acquitted 

Idriz Balaj
Acquitted 

Lahi Brahimaj

6 years of imprisonment

Key Documents

Initial Indictment Initial Indictment (2005)
Fourth Amended Indictment Fourth Amended Indictment (2007)
Trial Judgment Trial Judgment (2008)
Appeal Judgment Appeal Judgment (2010)
Re-trial judgment Re-trial judgment (2012)
ICTY Case Page Official ICTY page