On 2 February 2026, the President of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC), Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova, decided to modify Mr Haxhi Shala’s sentence to provide for his release under the conditions set forth in the decision. These conditions will continue to apply for the remainder of the 3-year sentence imposed on him. Mr. Shala was released and returned to Kosovo on 10/02/2026.
President Trendafilova considered among others that Mr. Shala had shown some signs of rehabilitation and had sent her a letter in which he expressed his regret to anyone who may have suffered harm as a result of his actions. She further took note of Mr. Shala’s positive family relationships, stable living conditions and extended social network that indicate a reasonable prospect of rehabilitation.
The President considered that while the offences for which Mr Shala was convicted are grave, Mr. Shala had written the letter on his own initiative and without legal assistance following a period of reflection. She found that his letter demonstrated a sign of genuine dissociation from the crimes of which he was convicted.
The decision can be found here.
Proceedings related to the commutation, modification or alteration of sentences as provided for in Article 51(2) of the Law are individual proceedings. When a convicted person has served two-thirds of a sentence, he or she becomes eligible for consideration of commutation, modification or alteration of the sentence, but does not have the right to the sentence being commuted, modified or altered.