The first-instance verdict in the case against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and four other defendants charged with offenses against the administration of justice will be delivered on November 17, 2026, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague announced.
In addition to Thaçi, the indictment includes Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi. They are charged with offenses relating to obstruction of judicial proceedings, disclosure of confidential information about protected witnesses, and contempt of court.
This case is being conducted separately from the proceedings in which Thaçi and former members of the KLA leadership are charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Prosecution seeks six-year prison sentence for Thaçi
During closing arguments, held on September 10, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office requested a six-year prison sentence for Thaçi. The former Kosovo president’s defense rejected the allegations in the indictment, arguing that his guilt had not been proven and requesting an acquittal.
For Fadil Fazliu, Isni Kilaj and Bashkim Smakaj, the prosecution proposed prison sentences of three years each, while it sought a nine-month prison sentence for Hajredin Kuçi.
The prosecution also proposed that, if Thaçi is found guilty, he should serve his sentence in this case after completing the sentence imposed in the war crimes proceedings.
Charges concern confidential information about witnesses
According to the indictment, during visits to the detention facility in The Hague in 2023, Thaçi disclosed confidential information to his associates concerning witnesses in the war crimes proceedings. The prosecution alleges that he also gave them instructions on how they should attempt to influence witness testimony.
According to the prosecutors, the other defendants attempted to pass these instructions on to witnesses with the aim of ensuring that their statements would be aligned with the interests of Thaçi’s defense.
The defense challenged the prosecution’s allegations, and the court will determine each defendant’s responsibility in its first-instance verdict. The trial in this case concluded on September 14, after the prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments.
Thaçi sentenced to 25 years in prison in separate proceedings
Hashim Thaçi was charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity in a separate case before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague, alongside former senior KLA officials Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi.
The indictment charged them with unlawful and arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, torture, murder and other crimes committed during and immediately after the conflict in Kosovo in 1998 and 1999.
In that case, Thaçi was sentenced at first instance to 25 years in prison on September 16, 2026. Jakup Krasniqi received the same sentence, Kadri Veseli was sentenced to 18 years, and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years in prison.
The Trial Panel found them guilty of unlawful and arbitrary arrest and detention, cruel treatment, torture and murders committed during the conflict in Kosovo, while acquitting them of crimes against humanity.
The delivery of the verdict in the case concerning obstruction of justice marks the next stage in the separate judicial proceedings against Thaçi and the other defendants. The court will decide on their criminal responsibility in this case on November 17, 2026.
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Source: Radio Goraždevac Foto: Printscreen Youtube
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