David Schwendiman from the United States has been nominated as the new Lead Prosecutor for the Special Investigative Task Force (SITF), the EU said in a statement. The SITF was established by the European Union in 2011 as an independent criminal investigation into the serious allegations contained in the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly report of January 2011 by Senator Dick Marty entitled: “Inhuman treatment of people and illicit trafficking in human organs in Kosovo”.
“Mr Schwendiman has extensive experience in dealing with the legal, political and practical issues in both international and domestic criminal prosecutions. He succeeds to Mr Clint Williamson, who was the first SITF Lead Prosecutor, and will lead the investigation conducted by the SITF, as well as any criminal proceedings arising therefrom. Mr Schwendiman’s selection is a signal of strong commitment to see this investigation come to a conclusion,” the statement said.
“The European Union will continue working closely with the new government on Kosovo’s progress towards its EU path, as well as tackling issues that still need to be addressed. In this regard, it is important that the new government continues cooperation with EULEX Kosovo in the implementation of its revised mandate, including by proceeding with the necessary amendments of the legal framework, which will allow for the establishment of the Specialist Court,” it added.
See Schwendiman’s CV here.
