Radosevic: The work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague inspires confidence in me; I believe they will put an end to the events of the '90s

Nebojsa Radosevic, a former Tanjug journalist who was abducted by KLA members in 1998 and held captive for 41 days, recently testified before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor's Office in The Hague. On the third anniversary of the indictment and appearance of Hashim Thaci before this court, he says for Kosovo Online that the work of this institution inspires confidence in him, that he expects results with appropriate judgments, and that they will put an end to all events in the former Yugoslavia.

"Since they contacted me from that court, everything seemed quite serious to me. I have been in contact with some other prosecutors and courts before, and this is on a much higher level, more serious. I spent nine days in The Hague, and there I saw that people are dedicated to their work, both the prosecutors and the defense. I see that prosecutors are very studiously collecting evidence, wanting to do their job properly. Of course, the defense is doing its job, trying to free the people they represent. The judicial council was very interesting to me because it seems, from my experience, that they are not taking anyone's side," Radosevic says.

Commenting on the work of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers so far and what left the strongest impression on him, Radosevic emphasizes the fact that the leaders of the KLA are accused.

"For me personally and, of course, the entire Serbian public, the biggest surprise is that Thaci and others are in The Hague. This is perhaps an indicator that something is happening there, and it will be more serious than it was before. I think it is a big step that these people are there," Radosevic says, pointing out that he was offered identity protection through face blurring and voice modification before his testimony, but he declined.

"I went there, and they offered me blurring, a change of voice. However, everyone knows me, knows how I look, I have given interviews, so I had no problem with that. My request was either complete protection without any television appearances or I would go public, and that's it. After all, I have nothing to hide."

When asked if he expected that the trials before this court would close a historical chapter, Radosevic answered affirmatively.

"I would not like to comment on the work of the Hague Tribunal, but one cannot be separated from the other. I assume that this is actually the end of everything related to the prosecution of war crimes on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. What I am counting and what I am expecting are judgments. I don't know how big or what they will be, but I really believe there will be some. And what is happening and all the evidence of command and any other responsibilities are in place, and I expect that the work of this court will finally put an end to everything that happened from the '90s in the territory of the former Yugoslavia," Radosevic concludes.