Shortly before the announcement of the first-instance ruling in The Hague for four former KLA leaders, family members of Hashim Thaçi and Rexhep Selimi entered the premises of the Specialist Chambers. The hearing is expected to take place under intense political and public scrutiny, while messages from Kosovo’s official camp about the outcome they expect have not been absent.
Family members in the courtroom for the ruling
Family members of Hashim Thaçi and Rexhep Selimi have entered the premises of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague to closely follow the announcement of the judgment.
They will be present in the courtrooms during the hearing at which the first-instance ruling is expected to be delivered for Hashim Thaçi, Rexhep Selimi, Kadri Veseli and Jakup Krasniqi.
The ruling is expected to be delivered separately for each accused
According to the hearing notice, the judgment is expected to begin at 10:00.
The ruling will be announced separately for each of the four accused, making this a key moment not only for the judicial process, but also for how this case has been followed publicly in Kosovo and the region.
Konjufca and Andin Hoti also arrive at the building
Also arriving at the Specialist Chambers building were Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Glauk Konjufca, as well as the Minister for Family and War Values, Andin Hoti.
Their presence further politically charges a hearing that formally belongs to the justice system, but which has long been treated by Kosovo politics as a symbolic battle as well.
Political message before the ruling
From outside the building, Konjufca said he expects “only one decision,” describing it as “a decision of acquittal for the KLA leaders.”
His statement clearly reflects the political position of Kosovo’s government, but not necessarily the direction the court’s decision-making will take, as the court is expected to announce its verdict according to procedure for each accused.
The announcement of the judgment in The Hague remains one of the most sensitive moments for the former KLA leaders and for Kosovo’s political scene.
Attention is now focused on the decision the court will deliver for each of the accused.