Live update

Today, 10/02/2026, Bashkim Smakaj and Fadil Fazliu were provisionally released in Kosovo subject to conditions, following the most recent review of detention by the Single Trial Judge in the case of The Specialist Prosecutor v Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi (“Case 12”). More details in the Press Release. 

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. More details in the Press Release. 

The Victims’ Counsel completed his closing statement today, after which the hearing adjourned. The trial resumes tomorrow, 11 February, when the Defence teams are expected to begin their closing statements.

The SPO completed its closing statement today. It requested the Trial Panel to find all four accused guilty on all counts in the indictment and to sentence each of them to 45 years’ imprisonment.

The Victims’ Counsel is now presenting his closing statement.
 

The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office has commenced its closing statement in the Thaçi et al. trial today. According to the scheduling order, the SPO’s submissions are expected to continue into tomorrow, 10 February. The Victims’ Counsel is scheduled to present its closing statement next, followed by the Defence teams from 11 February onwards.

Please be informed that the start of the hearing in the Thaçi et al. trial this morning, 9 February, is delayed. It is expected to commence at 09:10 (09:55 via the delayed online stream).

All confirmations have been sent out for persons attending at the KSC premises the closing statements in the trial of Hashim Thaci, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi, scheduled for 9-13 February.

An effort was made to accommodate all requests to sit in the public gallery as far as was possible, however interest in attending the hearings was high, and therefore space in the public gallery was limited, meaning that there was not space available for everyone who requested it.

If you have not received a confirmation email then unfortunately there was not sufficient space to accommodate your request.

As a reminder, the hearings can also be followed by anyone online in the three languages of the court, Albanian, English and Serbian, via the streaming function on the KSC website, with a 45-minute delay.

Please be informed that hearing schedule for next week in the Thaçi et al. trial has been adjusted. The end time of each hearing is now set for 16:45 instead of 16:30.
The most up-to-date courtroom schedule can be found on our online calendar.

On 5 February 2026, the Specialist Chamber of the Constitutional Court dismissed Hashim Thaçi’s referral alleging violations of his fundamental rights in connection with the assignment of the Pre-Trial Judge and the Single Trial Judge in the administration of justice case against him. The Chamber found some of the complaints premature and others unsubstantiated, and therefore declared the referral inadmissible pursuant to Rule 14 of the Rules of Procedure for the SCCC. More details are available in the decision.

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