Live update

Please be informed that the hearings in the case against Thaçi et al. on administration of justice charges provisionally scheduled for 24 and 28 April 2026 have been cancelled. The Defence has requested that the testimony of all of its witnesses be received by the Single Trial Judge in written form, which would not require them to be heard during trial hearings. The Single Trial Judge has now granted this request in respect of five of the seven witnesses tendered by the Defence, thus leading to the cancellation of trial hearings. A decision remains pending in respect of the remaining two Defence witnesses, which will be decided in due course.

On 17 April 2026, the Trial Panel in the Thaçi et al. case granted a request by the Victims’ Counsel to allow two close relatives of a deceased victim to resume the victim’s participation in the proceedings.

As a result, the total number of participating victims in this case increases to 156.
 

In its latest detention review decision, made public on 17 April, the Trial Panel in the Thaçi et al. case ordered the continued detention of Rexhep Selimi. The Panel found that the risks that the accused may obstruct the progress of the proceedings or commit further offences continue to exist.

A public redacted version of a decision reviewing the detention conditions of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli and Rexhep Selimi was filed on 17 April 2026.
The decision, originally issued confidentially on 4 July 2025, follows requests by the Defence for Rexhep Selimi and Kadri Veseli to amend the detention conditions, which were initially modified by the Trial Panel in December 2023. The Panel granted the requests in part, removing certain previously imposed measures, in particular in relation to aspects of non-privileged in-person visits and video and telephone communications, including those with close relatives, while maintaining the remaining measures as necessary and proportionate.

In a separate decision issued on 19 March 2026 and also made public on 17 April 2026, the Trial Panel rejected a request by the Selimi Defence to rescind the remaining contact restrictions in respect of Rexhep Selimi. The Panel found that these measures continue to be necessary and proportionate, while allowing for limited adjustments in their implementation, including an increase in the number of authorised non-privileged in-person visits and additional opportunities for video and private visits.

The Single Trial Judge in the case against Thaçi et al. for administration of justice charges ordered the parties to file written submissions, by 22 April 2026, on several matters relevant to determining the schedule for the remainder of the proceedings. Judge Gosnell further indicated that, for the purpose of these submissions, and without prejudice to decisions on pending Defence motions, the parties were invited to proceed on the basis that no additional hearings would be required for the presentation of Defence witnesses.

Among other details specified in the order issued on 16 April 2026, the Judge set a target date of 5 May 2026 at 16:00 for the Defence to file notifications on the closure of their respective cases, subject to confirmation following the parties’ submissions.
 

The transcript of the KSC Weekly Press Briefing on 16/04/2026 is now available. 

On 13 April 2026, the Defence for Jakup Krasniqi filed a public redacted version of its final trial brief, which was initially submitted confidentially in January this year. 
This is the third final trial brief made public so far, following those filed by Veseli and Thaҫi.  
 

In its latest detention review decision of 10 April 2026, the Trial Panel in the case against Thaçi, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi ordered the continued detention of Hashim Thaçi. The Panel found that the risks that the accused may obstruct the progress of the proceedings or commit further offences continue to exist. 

On 10 April 2026, the Single Trial Judge granted the Kilaj Defence motion for the admission of statements of four character witnesses in lieu of oral testimony pursuant to Rule 153 of the Rules. Judge Gosnell found that these witnesses need not appear in court for cross-examination, noting in particular that the SPO did not request cross-examination and that the fairness of the proceedings would not be negatively impacted, while their expeditiousness would be enhanced.

The transcript of the KSC Weekly Press Briefing on 09/04/2026 is now available.