Cases

The case concerns Hashim Thaçi, Bashkim Smakaj, Isni Kilaj, Fadil Fazliu and Hajredin Kuçi in relation to offences against the administration of justice. Following the confirmation of the indictment, all five accused entered pleas of not guilty. The case file was transmitted to a Single Trial Judge on 12 November 2025 and the trial commenced on 27 February 2026. The SPO closed its case on 13 March 2026. During the Defence phase, only the Defence teams of Thaçi and Kilaj presented evidence, while a witness called by the Thaçi Defence testified in court on 11 and 12 May 2026. All Defence teams closed their cases between 14 and 18 May 2026.

This case concerns Sabit Januzi, Ismet Bahtijari and Haxhi Shala in relation to offences against the administration of justice. The cases against Januzi and Bahtijari were joined with the case against Haxhi Shala on 8 February 2024. Following plea agreements with the SPO, all three accused pleaded guilty to counts 2 and 3 of the confirmed indictment in December 2024. On 4 February 2025, the Trial Panel approved the plea agreements and imposed sentences of three years’ imprisonment for Haxhi Shala and two years’ imprisonment for Januzi and Bahtijari. The accused also agreed to pay €500 in reparations to the participating victim. Januzi and Bahtijari were conditionally released on 21 February 2025 and completed their sentences on 4 October 2025. Haxhi Shala was conditionally released on 10 February 2026 following a modification of his sentence.

Pjetër Shala’s case concerns events that took place between May and June 1999 against persons detained at the Kukës Metal Factory in Albania. The case file was transmitted to Trial Panel I on 21 September 2022. The trial commenced on 21 February 2023 and concluded on 17 April 2024. On 16 July 2024, the Trial Panel found Shala guilty of the war crimes of arbitrary detention, torture and murder and sentenced him to 18 years of imprisonment, with credit for time served. On 29 November 2024, the Panel ordered Shala to pay €208,000 in reparations to victims. On 14 July 2025, the Appeals Panel affirmed Shala’s convictions for arbitrary detention, torture and murder. Having granted in part three grounds of appeal raised by the Defence, it reduced his sentence from 18 to 13 years of imprisonment, with credit for time served. There are eight participating victims in this case.

The case concerns Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi in relation to events that took place between March 1998 and September 1999 at several locations in Kosovo and in Kukës and Cahan, northern Albania. The case file was transmitted to Trial Panel II on 15 December 2022. The trial commenced on 3 April 2023. On 15 April 2025, the SPO closed its case. On 16 and 17 July 2025, the Victims’ Counsel presented evidence. The Defence case commenced on 15 September 2025, with only the Defence teams of Thaçi and Krasniqi presenting evidence. On 2 December 2025, both Defence teams concluded their cases, and on 18 December 2025 the evidentiary proceedings were declared closed. Closing statements took place from 9 to 18 February 2026. There are 156 participating victims in this case.

Hysni Gucati and Nasim Haradinaj served as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans’ Association and the proceedings relate to offences against the administration of justice. The trial took place from 7 October 2021 to 17 March 2022. On 18 May 2022, the Trial Panel found both accused guilty and sentenced them to 4,5 years' imprisonment, along with a fine of €100 each. On 2 February 2023, the Appeals Panel reduced their sentences to four years and three months of imprisonment, maintaining the fines. Following decisions of the President modifying their sentences, Gucati was conditionally released on 17 October 2023 and Haradinaj on 14 December 2023. Both completed the service of their sentences on 24 December 2024.