AFTER VERDICT AGAINST THAÇI AND KLA LEADERS: Hague Court now launches proceedings for compensation for victims!

The Kosovo Specialist Chambers, which yesterday sentenced Hashim Thaçiand his criminal group to a total of 81 years in prison, have decided to conduct reparations proceedings for victims in the case against Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi following the delivery of the judgment on September 16, Index online reports.

According to the order of Trial Panel II, the proceedings will be conducted before the Specialist Chambers and, if the Defense does not object, victims will not be referred to seek compensation through civil lawsuits before the courts.

Under the legal framework, when an accused is found guilty, the Trial Panel may issue an order directly against the convicted person, determining appropriate compensation for victims, individually or collectively.

The Trial Panel assessed that it would not be appropriate to refer the victims to civil proceedings.

The order states that, in the Panel’s assessment, the civil courts in the so-called Kosovo do not provide an “effective and realistic” avenue for victims in this case to seek compensation for the crimes of which the defendants were found guilty.

Among other things, the Panel also took into account the fact that the participants in the proceedings — the victims — were guaranteed anonymity from the public.

In its reasoning, the Panel also assessed that referring victims to the courts of the so-called Kosovo could jeopardize the protective measures established by the Specialist Chambers and negatively affect their right to compensation. According to the Panel, the Specialist Chambers represent the most appropriate forum for determining compensation arising from the crimes for which sentences were handed down.

However, this step is not yet final. The Defense has been given the opportunity to file objections by Tuesday, September 22, 2026, to the decision not to refer the victims to the courts of the so-called Kosovo. Victims’ Counsel and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) may respond to the objections by September 25. If no objections are filed, the Panel will proceed with the reparations proceedings.

The Trial Panel has also set deadlines for the submission of evidence. Victims’ Counsel must inform the Panel by September 22 of any changes to the evidence they intend to propose. If they maintain the previously announced plan, three expert reports by Dr. Stefan Lerz, a report on possible forms of collective reparations and the victims’ testimonies must be submitted by October 7, 2026.

The Defense teams must also inform the Panel by September 22 whether they intend to propose evidence as part of the reparations proceedings.

Meanwhile, Victims’ Counsel has been ordered to submit a specific request for compensation by October 14, 2026. The SPO and the Defense teams will have until November 4, 2026, to respond to that request.

In the operative part of the order, Trial Panel II confirms that it will conduct the reparations proceedings and issue a reparations order in accordance with Article 22(8) and Rule 168, provided that the Defense does not file objections.

The order was issued on September 16, 2026, in The Hague by Trial Panel II, presided over by Judge Charles L. Smith III.