The parallel proceedings in The Hague against Hashim Thaçi and four other individuals are entering a key stage. The Specialist Chambers have set mid-September for closing statements in the case in which they are accused of obstruction of justice, a file directly linked to the main war crimes trial against former KLA leaders.
Dates of the final hearings
According to the court’s announcement, the hearings for the presentation of closing statements will be held on September 10, 11 and 14.
In this case, in addition to former Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi, the defendants are Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi.
What the defendants are accused of
According to the indictment, they are suspected of having influenced the testimony of witnesses called by prosecutors in the war crimes proceedings against Thaçi himself and other former KLA leaders, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi, between April and November 2023.
Thaçi faces three counts of attempted obstruction of officials in the performance of official duties, as well as eight counts of violating the secrecy of proceedings and disobeying the court.
Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj and Fadil Fazliu each face one count of attempted obstruction of officials in the performance of official duties and one count of disobeying the court. Hajredin Kuçi faces two counts of disobeying the court.
Where the judicial process stands
The trial against them began on February 27. On March 13, the Prosecution concluded the presentation of its evidence.
In the main file on war crimes and crimes against humanity against Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi, the verdict is scheduled to be delivered on September 16.
According to prosecutors, the four former KLA leaders bear responsibility for acts such as murder, torture and persecution allegedly committed during 1998-1999. All four have denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.
A contested process in Kosovo
The Specialist Court is formally part of Kosovo’s judicial system, but it operates with international judges and prosecutors.
This process has faced continuous opposition in Kosovo, where many have viewed it as one-sided because it does not address crimes committed by Serbian forces on the territory of Kosovo.
In recent months, banners and posters bearing the message “Freedom has a name” have appeared, while protests in support of the former KLA leaders have been held in Pristina and other cities. On February 17, Kosovo’s Independence Day, thousands of citizens took part in the “Justice, not politics” protest in Pristina.
In the main case, prosecutors have asked that Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi be found guilty and that each be sentenced to 45 years in prison for the alleged crimes.
During the proceedings, more than 130 witnesses have testified, while another 160 statements have been admitted in writing. The defendants in the main case have been held in detention in The Hague since their arrest in 2020.