Live update

The Single Trial Judge in the case against Thaçi et al. on charges related to the administration of justice issued his decision on the review of Hashim Thaçi’s detention conditions, following the earlier decision imposing such restrictions. In his decision, Judge Gosnell maintained the existing restrictions on Thaçi’s non-privileged visits by certain individuals, finding them to remain necessary and proportionate. At the same time, the Judge lifted the prohibition on non-privileged visits by one of the previously restricted individuals, subject to monitoring of visits.
The restrictions will continue to be reviewed for their necessity and proportionality. More details are available in the decision, whose public redacted version was filed on 16 March 2026. 
 

In its latest detention review decision of 16 March, the Trial Panel in the Thaçi et al. case ordered the continued detention of Kadri Veseli. The Panel found that the risks that the accused may obstruct the progress of the proceedings or commit further offences continue to exist.

In a scheduling order issued on 13 March 2026, the Single Trial Judge in the case against Thaçi et al. on administration of justice charges set new deadlines and varied some of those previously announced in his oral order of 5 March.
•    Any Defence motion for dismissal of charges is to be filed by 23 March 2026, with any SPO response due by 25 March 2026.
•    The Single Trial Judge intends to render a decision on these motions, if any, by 27 March 2026 at 16:00. Subject to the outcome of any Rule 130 motion, the Defence shall inform by the same date whether they intend to present a Defence case.
•    A Defence Preparation Conference will be held during the week of 30 March 2026, while Defence opening statements will take place on 7 April 2026, followed by the hearing of Defence witnesses until 24 April 2026.

Earlier, in internal correspondence to the parties on 10 March 2026, the Single Trial Judge varied the time limit for the SPO to give notice of the close of its case to 13 March 2026 at 16:00, and set the deadline for the Defence teams to file any notice of intention to submit a motion for dismissal of charges pursuant to Rule 130 by 13 March 2026 at midnight. 

On 13 March 2026, the SPO filed a notice of the close of its case.
 

Here is the transcript of today's KSC Weekly Press Briefing.

On 9 March 2026, the Supreme Court Panel, consisting of Judges Ekaterina Trendafilova (Presiding), Christine van den Wyngaert and Daniel Fransen, rejected Pjetër Shala’s request for protection of legality in its entirety. The request alleged several violations concerning the Appeal Judgment issued in July 2025. The Panel dismissed all the grounds raised by the Defence, finding no violation of Shala’s fair trial rights, the criminal law, or the procedures, and declaring certain grounds inadmissible.
More details are available in the decision, which can be accessed in the KSC Public Court Records.

Here is the transcript of today's KSC Weekly Press Briefing.

Following direct examination by the SPO and cross-examination by the Defence teams of Thaçi (yesterday) and Smakaj (this morning), witness Christopher Kelly completed his testimony today. He was the last SPO witness to testify in court.
Following the witness’s testimony, the parties addressed scheduling matters and the next steps in the proceedings. In an oral order, the Single Judge set the following deadlines, among others:
•    The SPO is to close its case by 18 March 2026.
•    The Defence teams are to file any Rule 130 notifications (dismissal of charges) by 19 March 2026. Any motion in support of such notifications is to be filed by 25 March 2026.
•    The SPO is to file its response to any such motions by 1 April 2026.

Tomorrow’s hearing (6 March) is cancelled and the trial is adjourned until further notice.
 

Due to the absence of one of the Defence teams, the hearing went on a break shortly after it began this morning. The proceedings are expected to resume at 10:25 (11:10 in the online stream).

Following cross-examination by the Defence teams of Smakaj, Kilaj and Thaçi, witness Koen Herlaar completed his testimony today. The SPO then called its third witness, Christopher Kelly, who is currently a part-time contractor for the SPO (digital forensic investigations).

The SPO’s second witness, Koen Herlaar, resumed his testimony this morning. Following the completion of the SPO’s direct examination yesterday, the Defence for Bashkim Smakaj began its cross-examination, which continued this morning.