UNMIK/PR/125
PRISTINA--Pristina businessman Gani Thaci, who was arrested by UNMIK Police on 4 January after seen shooting a gun from a house, was released today.
Mr. Gani Thaci was charged with illegal possession of arms. He was released today by the Pristina prosecutor, who stated that a police investigation had determined that no further detention was required.
This morning at 11 a.m. Xhavit Ferizi, a personal bodyguard of Hashim Thaci, PPDK party president and a member of the Interim Administrative Council and Kosovo Transitional Council, was arrested in a combined UNMIK/KFOR search for illegal weapons in a Pristina café. The bodyguard was carrying a weapon, which was licensed under rules covering the security staff for members of the Kosovo Transitional Council. Mr. Ferizi had a Weapons Authorization Card issued by KFOR and UNMIK. However at the time of his apprehension, the card was with KFOR for renewal. Mr. Ferizi was released a few hours later.
Dr. Bernard Kouchner, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said today that there was no link whatsoever between the two incidents. The arrest of the bodyguard was part of a routine check for weapons, he said.
Regarding Tuesday's arrest of Mr. Gani Thaci, Dr. Kouchner said that no conclusions should be drawn from his relationship with Mr. Hashim Thaci, a member of the same family: "In a democracy, individuals are judged by their own actions, which have no bearing or reflection on the reputations of any other family members," Dr. Kouchner said.