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Thursday, March 10, 2005

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  As the commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army, "Haradinaj personally ordered, controlled and participated in beatings" of civilians, according to the indictment unsealed by U.N. judges.

The charges were broken down by U.N. prosecutors into 17 counts of crimes against humanity for alleged murder, rape, persecution, inhumane acts, unlawful detention, deportation or forcible transfer of civilians. It also accused him of 20 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war for cruel treatment, murder and rape.

Haradinaj, 36, could face life imprisonment if convicted of any of the charges stemming from the 1998-99 war between ethnic Albanian separatists and Serb forces. He is expected to appear in court in coming days, when he will be asked to plea to the charges.

Lahi Brahimaj, another suspect named in the indictment, traveled to the court with Haradinaj. Brahimaj was a former rebel and a member of the Kosovo Protection Corps, a civilian emergency group made up of ethnic Albanian former rebels. A third former rebel, Idriz Balaj, also was indicted by the court and surrendered Wednesday.

International officials praised Haradinaj _ a seasoned battlefield commander with a fiery temper and a loyal following _ for his decision to cooperate with the court and called on other countries in the region to follow his example.

© 2005 The Associated Press

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