Del Ponte

Del Ponte: Kosovo witnesses too afraid to testify
Beta - November 4, 2003

VIENNA -- Tuesday – Witnesses to war crimes in Kosovo are often too afraid to testify, the chief prosecutor at the United Nations tribunal in The Hague warned today.

Carla del Ponte said that the tribunal prosecution had experienced problems collecting evidence against Kosovo Albanians because witnesses are being threatened.

She added that though the tribunal has its own witness protection programme, this often entails moving entire families, which can be very difficult.

The prosecutor said that the trial of a Kosovo Albanian would begin next year, while another three indictments have been prepared and two more investigations are underway.