(ANSA) - BELGRADE, MAY 18 - The Kosovo Special Chambers found guilty two former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj, for obstructing official persons performing official duties and intimidation during criminal, violating the secrecy of proceedings. Gucati and Haradinaj were sentenced to to four and a half years' imprisonment.

The verdict against Gucati and Haradinaj, both leaders of veterans of the KLA, is the first sentence by the Kosovo Special Chambers, a war crime court established in The Hague to rule on crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under Kosovo law, committed in Kosovo between 1998 and 2000. The Court said the actions of the two veterans were aimed at preventing the Tribunal "from effective investigations and prosecutions of ex-KLA members." Their actions were "criminal and not patriotic," presiding judge Charles Smith said. (ANSA).